Stephanie,

Wow…what a great topic to bring up and I think this is especially important for early career professionals like myself. I think networking is very important and I try to impress various ways to network and connect to the audiology interns I supervise or the undergraduate observers. Although networking is important for many different reasons, and for students, networking can be the difference from a student getting "a" job or "the" job after graduation. I want to initially begin with question #2 and expound upon what Donna said.

What is your comfort level with networking? Donna, like you, I was extremely shy. I was so shy that I was literally scared to talk to my aunts and uncles (and that is not an exaggeration). But, over time, as I began to open my mouth that nothing bad happened. So I began to talk more and ask questions. And, like Donna said, over time, I became more comfortable talking and sharing experiences with others and making connections.

I would also like to address question #4 - In your opinion, what are reasonable and acceptable gestures in networking (e.g. cold visits, emails, thank you cards, cold calls/texts, periodic telephone conversations or emails, etc.)?

I think these are all methods to network and can apply to specific situations. I would like to share a story from one of my experiences as an extern. I was speaking with one of the audiologists about my job search options and what I was doing as I was just getting started applying at the time. She told me of an institution she used to work for and that it would be a good idea to submit my curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter she told me who to send it to. I mentioned that the place was not hiring because I was very thorough in the job search.  The audiologist said to send my CV and cover letter….and I did. A month later, I received a phone call, a screening interview, followed by an in-person interview, followed by an offer for employment! After reflection and consultation with my wife, we felt it wasn't the best fit, but two things have happened for me. First, it was a POWERFUL lesson of a networking technique that I would have never thought of doing in the past without the guidance I received…and that is to do a "cold application." Second, because everything went well with that process, I am still In contact with one of the audiologists from that institution and we have professional talks about a discipline we both do and so that professional contact/link is still there. But there different ways to network and it has to be done in a way that is specific to a particular situation, and there's no harm or foul to ask for assistance from other professionals or men

Stephanie,

Wow…what a great topic to bring up and I think this is especially important for early career professionals like myself. I think networking is very important and I try to impress various ways to network and connect to the audiology interns I supervise or the undergraduate observers. Although networking is important for many different reasons, and for students, networking can be the difference from a student getting "a" job or "the" job after graduation. I want to initially begin with question #2 and expound upon what Donna said.

What is your comfort level with networking? Donna, like you, I was extremely shy. I was so shy that I was literally scared to talk to my aunts and uncles (and that is not an exaggeration). But, over time, as I began to open my mouth that nothing bad happened. So I began to talk more and ask questions. And, like Donna said, over time, I became more comfortable talking and sharing experiences with others and making connections.

I would also like to address question #4 - In your opinion, what are reasonable and acceptable gestures in networking (e.g. cold visits, emails, thank you cards, cold calls/texts, periodic telephone conversations or emails, etc.)?

I think these are all methods to network and can apply to specific situations. I would like to share a story from one of my experiences as an extern. I was speaking with one of the audiologists about my job search options and what I was doing as I was just getting started applying at the time. She told me of an institution she used to work for and that it would be a good idea to submit my curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter she told me who to send it to. I mentioned that the place was not hiring because I was very thorough in the job search.  The audiologist said to send my CV and cover letter….and I did. A month later, I received a phone call, a screening interview, followed by an in-person interview, followed by an offer for employment! After reflection and consultation with my wife, we felt it wasn't the best fit, but two things have happened for me. First, it was a POWERFUL lesson of a networking technique that I would have never thought of doing in the past without the guidance I received…and that is to do a "cold application." Second, because everything went well with that process, I am still In contact with one of the audiologists from that institution and we have professional talks about a discipline we both do and so that professional contact/link is still there. But there different ways to network and it has to be done in a way that is specific to a particular situation, and there's no harm or foul to ask for assistance from other professionals or men

Stephanie,

Wow…what a great topic to bring up and I think this is especially important for early career professionals like myself. I think networking is very important and I try to impress various ways to network and connect to the audiology interns I supervise or the undergraduate observers. Although networking is important for many different reasons, and for students, networking can be the difference from a student getting "a" job or "the" job after graduation. I want to initially begin with question #2 and expound upon what Donna said.

What is your comfort level with networking? Donna, like you, I was extremely shy. I was so shy that I was literally scared to talk to my aunts and uncles (and that is not an exaggeration). But, over time, as I began to open my mouth that nothing bad happened. So I began to talk more and ask questions. And, like Donna said, over time, I became more comfortable talking and sharing experiences with others and making connections.

I would also like to address question #4 - In your opinion, what are reasonable and acceptable gestures in networking (e.g. cold visits, emails, thank you cards, cold calls/texts, periodic telephone conversations or emails, etc.)?

I think these are all methods to network and can apply to specific situations. I would like to share a story from one of my experiences as an extern. I was speaking with one of the audiologists about my job search options and what I was doing as I was just getting started applying at the time. She told me of an institution she used to work for and that it would be a good idea to submit my curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter she told me who to send it to. I mentioned that the place was not hiring because I was very thorough in the job search.  The audiologist said to send my CV and cover letter….and I did. A month later, I received a phone call, a screening interview, followed by an in-person interview, followed by an offer for employment! After reflection and consultation with my wife, we felt it wasn't the best fit, but two things have happened for me. First, it was a POWERFUL lesson of a networking technique that I would have never thought of doing in the past without the guidance I received…and that is to do a "cold application." Second, because everything went well with that process, I am still In contact with one of the audiologists from that institution and we have professional talks about a discipline we both do and so that professional contact/link is still there. But there different ways to network and it has to be done in a way that is specific to a particular situation, and there's no harm or foul to ask for assistance from other professionals or men