Networking can be a scary process because it means that you need to put yourself in the limelight. Be confident in your abilities and show that other person that you are valuable of their time. Pharmacy students start with a set number of metaphorical “doors” when they enter pharmacy school. The difference between growth opportunities when you start and when you graduate is the networking you do while you are still in the learning years. Networking is a skill that will serve you long after graduation, into your profession, so what better time to start than now? As you have probably heard by now, pharmacy is a small, small world. We are a impactful and evolving profession, and you never know who you are going to meet by spreading your web. In networking there is a few key strategies when it comes to building strong and meaningful connections.
- Be Genuine
- Seek Mutual Value
- Follow Up and Stay Engaged
- Leverage Social Media
- Be Proactive
These five strategies have assisted me in more than one way in my career to becoming a pharmacist. Ranging from internship opportunities to committee roles, and research projects.
A key tool is the networking website, LinkedIn. Polish up your CV, then input that information onto your page. LinkedIn is the space where you are able to share your career interests and your school accomplishments. It is unique in that, by leveraging your account and proactively updating it, the site assists with finding the right connections! One way that LinkedIn assisted me was connecting me with like-minded individuals in Infectious Disease. I was able to connect with professionals in the field to find new shadowing and mentorship opportunities for myself. A great example is connecting with an Immunocompromised Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist that was willing to mentor me at the IDWeek Annual Meeting this October. Seeking that mutual value in connections online and on campus is crucial because you never know where that connection can lead you!
To summarize, stay engaged with your connections. The more enthusiastic you are about growing your network, the more bountiful your efforts become, and will only grow over time. Staying engaged and passionate about your profession allows you to build a stronger, lasting, connection overall. By networking, you develop your passion for your profession and discover your professional identity.