By Sharmina Deloer, Ph.D., Idalia Yabe, Ph.D., Susannah Goodman, M.A., Megan Bohn, Ph.D.
Continuing a trend of strong leadership across the NIH by NIAID fellows are Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (LCIM) postdocs Sharmina Deloer, Ph.D., and Idalia Yabe, Ph.D., co-chairs of the NIH Fellows Committee (FelCom) Career Development Subcommittee. In this role, they work with leaders and fellows across the NIH to develop opportunities for trainees to explore career options and network with scientist colleagues pursuing their passions at the NIH and beyond. Drs. Yabe and Deloer sat down with NIAID Training to discuss a generally apprehensive topic: networking. The outcome was non-traditional suggestions on how to expand your network without the usual trepidation that is associated with this activity.
1. Activities outside of work can result in unexpected “networking” opportunities
When postdoctoral fellow Idalia Yabe, Ph.D., joined the Genetic Immunotherapy Section of LCIM in 2019, she did not anticipate that within less than a year, a global pandemic would drastically shape and alter her postdoc and parenting experiences. “During the pandemic,” Idalia shares, “I recruited parents from my three-year old’s daycare class and organized a soccer team for the children to participate in a COVID-safe activity by remaining in their daycare “bubble.” Forming the soccer group afforded her the unique opportunity to casually meet and get to know other parents from various professional backgrounds and roles within the scientific community. She adds, “Within this social group I initiated, I experienced mutual camaraderie and support both on a personal and professional level. In fact, it was parents within this group who exposed and encouraged me to explore different career paths that I am currently actively transitioning into. Not surprisingly, I encourage participation in outside-of-work activities as they can provide rare informal networking opportunities.”
2. Get involved and serve in the scientific community
Getting involved and serving is another rewarding avenue for networking, as it simultaneously provides an excellent opportunity to give back to the scientific community. Some examples of serving shared by Idalia and Sharmina include joining committees, active engagement with NIH and NIAID training offices, and volunteering as a reviewer for a scientific journal. Sharmina also mentioned that serving increased her overall satisfaction by expanding her focus from solely work-related research, while also enhancing her skills in leadership, management, and communication. She adds, “I find that in the act of helping people, they are also helping me.”
3. Prioritize quality connections over quantity
Idalia and Sharmina both believe that the primary focus should be on ensuring that the quality of the connections made is not sacrificed for the quantity. Sharmina admits, “I don’t relate that well to the concept of networking. I enjoy speaking with people, but it’s not first nature for me to enter a room full of people and start “networking.” Based on each of their experiences, making one authentic connection has often proven more valuable than having multiple superficial connections.
4. Prepare and practice an elevator pitch
Having an elevator pitch prepared is important as you never know who you will encounter at any place and time. The pitch should include a brief 30-second introduction highlighting your credentials, expertise and value added. Creating and practicing your elevator pitches are a great way to maximize the chance that random encounters lead to lasting impressions and a quality connection. Idalia firmly believes that “we often only have one chance to make a good lasting impression, so having a prepared elevator pitch simply increases that likelihood.”
Any NIAID fellows who would like to speak with Drs. Deloer and Yabe or with NIAID Training about networking are welcome to reach out by emailing NIAIDTraining@nih.gov.