Make Contacts that Count: Networking and Personal Branding.

Objectives
Knowing how to develop and maintain an effective network is a key career strategy.
To build a well-functioning network is a vital component in planning a science career. Many highly-qualified scientists have taken a route to build their career that has been arduous and lonely. This module explores less stressful methods of career development, by the strategic use of networking.
Whether planning a career in the scientific or commercial world, awareness of the priorities and needs of funding bodies or potential employers or backers is a key to success. This seminar provides an overview of the structure of networking - the strengths and weaknesses of working in networks and allows for an opportunity to optimise your own networking activity and strategies for acquisition.

Content

• The purpose of a network
• Construction and maintenance of a co-operation network (or research group)
• Strategic co-operation within the scientific community: universities and non-university research institutions, businesses and organizations
• Growing the network: how to approach a prospective partner
• Typical problems in networks
• Use of online networks; linked in, academic networks, Twitter and other social media
• Formal and informal networks in the scientific community
• The advantages of giving as a professional work-style