Developing Your Networking Strategy
Alaina G. Levine · 2015
This chapter develops a comprehensive networking strategy and plan to connect with professionals, engage them in collaboration, and ensure an exchange of value between parties. An all-inclusive networking strategy is dependent on goals, which can be organized into three categories: opportunity-centered goals, short-term goals, and long-term goals. Networking plan should also naturally allow for a great deal of flexibility and be nimble enough to change as new opportunities arise. Although it may be a foreign concept for scientists and engineers, the idea of sending a thank you note to express gratitude for someone taking the time to speak with you is extremely important. It can literally build and solidify relationships and can be the action that immediately sets you apart from everyone else who is jockeying for attention from a particular person.