How to network as a doctoral student

Disclaimer: The insights shared in this guide stem from my personal journey as a doctoral student and will be regularly updated (current version: 11/15/2023).

PASSIVE NETWORKING

In the realm of academia, passive networking is often underestimated, yet it lays a robust foundation for professional connections. Here are some tried-and-true methods:

Articles and CVs:

When you come across a compelling article that sparks your interest, delve deeper into the intellectual landscape by exploring the authors behind the work. Conduct a thorough investigation into their professional background:

1. Author Exploration:

   • Investigate the authors' identities and delve into their academic and professional backgrounds.

   • Uncover their areas of expertise, research focus, and any noteworthy contributions.

2. CV Scrutiny:

   • Take a meticulous look at their Curriculum Vitae (CV). CV can give you a lot of information! 

   • Analyze their publication history, gaining insights into the journals where they share their research. This might help you understand where your work should be published. 

   • Identify the types of grants they have pursued and secured. Put those in your potential grant application list! 

Twitter Ties:

1. Twitter is a great place to get to know people!!! Follow scholars and institutions aligned with your interests.

2. Unearth opportunities; workshops and conferences can serendipitously cross your path. I knew a workshop happening by chance through twitter! 

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Engagement:

1. Enlist in Special Interest Groups (SIGs) at conferences like SSWR or APPAM.

2. Attend events, workshops, and small talks; stay connected through shared resources like spreadsheets.

3. Collaborate on panel submissions with scholars sharing your interests for pre- and post-session networking.

• In my SIG (work-life balance) at SSWR, a shared spreadsheet keeps us informed about the abstracts that fellow members are currently working on and intend to submit to SSWR. If you come across a topic similar to yours, take the initiative to reach out via email. Collaborating on a panel submission presents a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. By participating in a joint panel with scholars you're keen on working with, you can effortlessly engage with them before or after the session, fostering valuable connections

Compile a list of future collaborators:

1.  Based on all passive networking skills mentioned above, make list of faculties, postdoc, doctoral students, and institutions that have similar research interests with you and whom you aspire to collaborate with. This strategic list-building will prove invaluable in navigating your future job market endeavors.

ACTIVE NETWORKING

When it comes to active networking, conferences become the stage for forging meaningful connections. Here's a playbook for success:

Conferences

1. Pre-Conference Preparation:

• • Strategize your conference attendance by marking sessions of interest. Please take a look at the program and mark on the sessions that you want to go. (1) You can choose by research topics that you are interested in, or (2) You can go to sessions with presenters and discussants that you want to network with.

  • Leverage conference apps to identify and connect with participants.

  • If available, sign up for mentor-mentee programs for personalized guidance.

    • SSWR and APPAM have mentor-mentee program and it is great! You can set a goal and ask whatever questions you have.

    • I signed up as a mentee during APPAM/SSWR and was matched with one of the professors. I shared several topics that I wanted to discuss, we scheduled a time, and talked about an hour. Also, she introduced me to other people of my interest at the conference and went to social hours that I wasn’t aware of. It was a great experience!

  • Reach out to scholars before conferences, expressing your intent to connect. Let them know that you will be at the conference and ask if they can talk for 5-10 minutes...

    • If emailing is too much for you, meet them after their session! Tell them what you thought about their presentation and ask questions if you have any.

2. Business Card Etiquette:

• • Bring your business cards if you have! I know there are more fancier business cards these days such as scanning QR codes, but I think traditional paper business cards are better.

  • It is easier to share your name, affiliation, and contact information.

3. Coffee Break, Dinner, and Happy Hours:

• If you are presenting or discussing, network with your panels! Go out for a dinner, have a cup of coffee and discuss your work. These are people work have similar research interests!

• Attend PhD student socials for a support network and camaraderie. PhD students normally go through similar hardships. Peer support is important and having a conversation with them will make you think that you are not ALONE.

4. Poster Sessions Power:

• • Engage in dynamic conversations at poster sessions for a more personal interaction. You can have more personal, active, and engaging conversation at a poster session. 

  • Overcome shyness by posing questions in a relaxed setting. If you are too shy to ask questions during the panel session, go to poster sessions, see if there's anything that interests you.

5. Post-Conference Follow-Up:

• • Send thoughtful follow-up emails to those you meet.

  • Reinforce connections and express interest in future collaborations.

Informational interview 

1. Conduct informational interviews with scholars

• Engage in informational interviews with scholars as an excellent avenue to gain deeper insights into their work and expand your professional network. This process may also lead to additional connections with other individuals worth conversing with.

2. Preparation and procedures 

• Of course, tell them your expectations: why you are wanting to have a conversation with them and what you want to talk about during that time 

• Ask them for a 20–30-minute meeting

• Research in advance - look at their CV, works, papers, and make questions

• Send thank you letter

• Follow up with them if anything comes up

3. More resources: 

• https://career.berkeley.edu/start-exploring/informational-interviews/ 

• https://hbr.org/2016/02/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-an-informational-interview 

• https://ocs.yale.edu/channels/informational-interviewing/ 

Event Participation

• Attend events and small talks, either in person or virtually.

• Seize opportunities for unexpected collaborations, as shared experiences often lead to fruitful partnerships.

• I attended a workshop, met a PhD student at a different university who had similar research interests with me, and wrote a paper together.

Concluding Marks 

I hope that the insights shared in this guide, drawn from my personal doctoral journey, will provide valuable guidance for students navigating the complex terrain of networking. Whether you opt for passive strategies like exploring articles and CVs or actively engaging in conferences, mentor-mentee programs, and informational interviews, building a robust professional network is key to success. Remember, networking is an ongoing process, and by incorporating these strategies, you can cultivate meaningful connections that will not only enhance your academic journey but also open doors for future collaborations. Wishing you a fulfilling and network-enriched doctoral experience!