April 3, 2024 • 12 mins
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This week Sujani unveils the transformative power of weaving relationship-building into the very fabric of your daily life. From striking up a conversation with a colleague to reaching out to a professional you admire online, I'll demonstrate the omnipresence of networking opportunities. Whether you're taking your first steps in public health or you're a seasoned expert, this episode promises to revolutionize your approach to building relationships and expand your professional network in ways you never imagined. Let's get ready to transform the way you think about networking in public health.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to PHSpotlight, a community for you
to build your public healthcareer with.
Join us weekly right here, andI'll be here too.
Your host, sujani Siva fromPHSpot.
Hello and welcome to anotherepisode here on the PHSpot
(00:23):
podcast, and today we aretalking about networking.
It's another solo episode withme, so there's no guest today
and it's going to be a short one, because I know you know this
stuff and I'm just here in yourear telling you or reminding you
some of the obvious things thatwe already know about
networking.
(00:43):
And so what I'm going to tellyou today is maybe something
that you've heard me talk about,and it's that networking
happens everywhere, and that'sthe topic I want to talk about.
But before we jump into that, Iwant to remind you that
networking, or the other wordthat I like to use, or two words
(01:06):
building relationships is themost important thing that you
can do for your public healthcareer.
So, whether it's to find thatnext opportunity, whether it's
to ask questions about you knowthe next steps in your career,
(01:29):
whether it's questions aboutpursuing the next degree,
whatever it is having reallygood relationships, so
essentially, people that you canconnect with, individuals you
trust, individuals that yourespect, to go to, for just some
(01:50):
help to think through thesethings is going to be key.
So if you are stuck at anypoint in your career, can you
name five people that you canreach out to with no hesitation
and know that they're going tohelp you out?
So I hope you can say yes, butit's okay if you're not able to
(02:14):
name five people who could helpyou out with your public health
career questions, because that'swhy we're here.
We're going to help you withthat and it's essentially going
to be a mindset shift that I'mgoing to talk about today.
But just remember that and keepthat in the back of your mind
as I'm talking, because makingsome time to build those
relationships is going to be key.
(02:35):
Whether you are just startingoff in public health, whether
you're a student, whether you'refive years into your career,
whether you're 10 years intoyour career, the relationships
that you build are going to bekey and they're so foundational
to building a great career.
So, going back to today's topicof networking, happens
(02:56):
everywhere and I'm using theword networking because it's a
word that we all know, but Iprefer kind of building
relationships.
So just know that I use thoseto relationship building or
connecting with individuals andnetworking all kind of in the
same way.
So when we can shift ourmindset about networking, it
(03:17):
doesn't become this thing thatyou you need a lot of time for
or need to build up someconfidence to like go to these
events and conferences toconnect with people.
Networking essentially happenseverywhere you go and it can be
(03:37):
embedded in everything you do.
So if you can shift yourmindset about networking to this
way, you know way of thinking,I assure you it will be much,
much easier.
Yes, the dedicated networkingevents and conferences are
important and you do need to goout to those.
I encourage you, at least oncea year if you can.
(04:01):
But so are the informalconversations that you have both
online and offline.
Right, and that's what I wantto remind you today that
networking, buildingrelationships, connecting with
people, growing your communityall of those things they don't
need to happen at this specialdedicated networking event or
(04:25):
conference, and they can happenevery single day, both online
and offline.
So what does that mean?
That means that you have tothink about one interacting with
people in the world of publichealth in some way every day, if
not a handful of times a week,and that can happen both online
(04:47):
and offline, offline, maybe it'swhen you are in the office,
when you are going in.
I know some people have hybridopportunities nowadays and so
whenever you go into the officeare there individuals that you
can have conversation with,individuals, especially who you
don't work with on a day-to-daybasis?
I remember when I was in theoffice you know, pre-pandemic I
(05:11):
used to love just catching upwith people when I was making
tea or waiting for the elevatoror even just going out for after
work events and coffee, and Ireally made it a point to book
those things.
So I'd ask somebody for acoffee or maybe just reach out
to somebody and say, hey, I'veheard that you've done this
(05:34):
project and I'd love to learnmore about it.
And so some of those offline,in-person connections can go a
long way and I encourage you todo that intentionally even now.
You know, even if you don'thave the opportunity to go into
an office and there isn't a lotof traffic at your workplace,
definitely make it a pointwhether you're in school now and
(05:54):
you have professors or othercolleagues.
Make it a point whether you'rein school now and you have
professors or other colleagues.
Make it a point to get thosein-person times.
And if there are individualswho you've met on LinkedIn,
reach out to them for coffee orgo for a walk, whatever it is
you know, find people in yourregion and have those in-person
(06:15):
conversations.
In terms of online connections,it's another way to network, and
here are some ideas, so youknow.
One is if you read a paper oran article that someone wrote
and you feel inspired by it itcould even be a blog post that
you wrote reach out to them,send them a note instead of just
(06:35):
thinking that, oh, this was areally good piece of work.
Reach out to them and let themknow that you read their piece,
this is what you took away fromit, and that you just wanted to
send them a note to let themknow that and this is a form of
networking, right You'replanting the seed for this
relationship that couldpotentially blossom into
something more.
(06:55):
So that's one example or oneway that you could network kind
of online.
Another way to network onlineis by commenting and engaging
regularly with content onLinkedIn or another social media
platform where you get yourpublic health, career info from,
and when you show up in thecomments section of some
(07:21):
individuals who are alwaysposting, you're going to meet
and connect with people in thecomments.
Believe it or not, this happens.
You know, some of the people Ihave reached out to are people
who I have engaged with in thecomments, because we often will
bounce off of each other'scomments and we'll have good
(07:43):
dialogue in the comments andthen, you know, a couple days
later there might be anotherpost.
And you know, linkedin'salgorithm is just so great that
when somebody posts or somebodycomments, it shows up on your
feed and these individuals areessentially part of your network
and then you're able to engagethere.
And when you keep seeing thatsame person over and over again,
(08:04):
week after week after week,naturally you're just going to
want to reach out to them, right?
You feel like you know them,and I've done that quite a few
times where I've hadconversations with people in the
comments and then finally,months later, I send them a
connection request and I say youknow, I can't believe we're not
connected already.
It feels like we've beentalking forever.
(08:24):
So that's a form of networking.
So don't dismiss that, and Ireally want you to try that.
I know it's really difficult toput yourself out there to share
your opinions and thoughts outin the open online, but it's a
really good way to network andyou can do it from the comfort
of your own home or wherever youare right, so try that out.
(08:45):
Other ways to network and thisis something that I learned from
Sue Griffey she's a greatmentor here with PHSpot.
She does a lot of greatmentorship and career
development type of advice andtips on her page on LinkedIn.
So check her out.
And that's connecting withpeople in the same way you would
connect with them in thecomments of LinkedIn, but at
(09:07):
webinars, at online events andonline conferences.
So when you're, you know,showing up to these types of
events, you are essentiallywatching some sort of a live
recording.
But there's also a chatfunction, right, and typically
the host might say like, hey,introduce yourself.
And you introduce yourself, andwhen you do that, there might
be somebody whose introductionreally catches your eye.
(09:28):
Start talking to them in thechat yourself, and when you do
that, there might be somebodywhose introduction really
catches your eye.
Start talking to them in thechat window, and then there
might be other people who arereally intrigued by the
conversation that you guys arehaving and then you could take
that initial connection and moveit to either email, linkedin or
other social media messagingplatform, and that's really a
(09:51):
great way to also network,because that person showed up to
an event that you also showedup to, which probably you know,
hints at the fact that you bothhave similar interests.
So I want you to just usetoday's very short episode as an
inspiration to reframe the waythat you think about networking,
(10:13):
really reframe it asrelationship building or human
to human connection, so that youcan take the pressure off of
quote unquote networking andthen, additionally, know and
understand and believe thatnetworking happens everywhere.
And it's something that youneed to do as much as possible
(10:35):
because it's going to beextremely valuable as you grow
in your public health career.
And I talk about somethingcalled strategic networking, and
that means you know, connectingand reaching out with people
and content, going to eventsthat are in line with the goals
that you have set out foryourself.
Right, and the best example Igive is maybe you want to pursue
(11:00):
a doctor of public healthdegree 10 years from now, a DRPH
degree.
So start going to those kindsof events, start following
content written by individualswith that degree and start
engaging with those communities,because, even though it's not
something that you want to doimmediately now.
It is something that you wantto consider for yourself in five
(11:21):
to 10 years.
So imagine a relationship thatyou've built that has been five
years of, you know, constantlyshowing up, constantly
connecting with the individual,constantly building a
relationship where there'smutual trust and respect, and
then, when the time comes, youhave somebody that you can lean
(11:41):
on to ask them all the questionsthat you might have.
Right, Remember that initialquestion I asked you can you
name five people off the top ofyour head who could help you
with any public health careerchallenge that you are facing or
will face?
And if the answer is no, then Iencourage you to really, really
really put some time intobuilding your community,
(12:02):
building those relationships,and if the answer is yes,
continue to grow that circle ofindividuals and also strengthen
those relationships.
It's not something that youjust do once and you let go of.
Relationship needs nurturing,so I encourage you to continue
strengthening thoserelationships.
Okay, so that's all I have foryou today.
(12:22):
It's a short and quick episodeabout networking happening
everywhere, and I really hopethis gives you that boost of
energy or inspiration to go outthere and build those
relationships for your publichealth career.
So until next time.
This is Sujani.
Thank you so much for beingpart of this community.
Welcome to PHSpotlight, a community for you
to build your public healthcareer with.
Join us weekly right here, andI'll be here too.
Your host, sujani Siva fromPHSpot.
Hello and welcome to anotherepisode here on the PHSpot
(00:23):
podcast, and today we aretalking about networking.
It's another solo episode withme, so there's no guest today
and it's going to be a short one, because I know you know this
stuff and I'm just here in yourear telling you or reminding you
some of the obvious things thatwe already know about
networking.
(00:43):
And so what I'm going to tellyou today is maybe something
that you've heard me talk about,and it's that networking
happens everywhere, and that'sthe topic I want to talk about.
But before we jump into that, Iwant to remind you that
networking, or the other wordthat I like to use, or two words
(01:06):
building relationships is themost important thing that you
can do for your public healthcareer.
So, whether it's to find thatnext opportunity, whether it's
to ask questions about you knowthe next steps in your career,
(01:29):
whether it's questions aboutpursuing the next degree,
whatever it is having reallygood relationships, so
essentially, people that you canconnect with, individuals you
trust, individuals that yourespect, to go to, for just some
(01:50):
help to think through thesethings is going to be key.
So if you are stuck at anypoint in your career, can you
name five people that you canreach out to with no hesitation
and know that they're going tohelp you out?
So I hope you can say yes, butit's okay if you're not able to
(02:14):
name five people who could helpyou out with your public health
career questions, because that'swhy we're here.
We're going to help you withthat and it's essentially going
to be a mindset shift that I'mgoing to talk about today.
But just remember that and keepthat in the back of your mind
as I'm talking, because makingsome time to build those
relationships is going to be key.
(02:35):
Whether you are just startingoff in public health, whether
you're a student, whether you'refive years into your career,
whether you're 10 years intoyour career, the relationships
that you build are going to bekey and they're so foundational
to building a great career.
So, going back to today's topicof networking, happens
(02:56):
everywhere and I'm using theword networking because it's a
word that we all know, but Iprefer kind of building
relationships.
So just know that I use thoseto relationship building or
connecting with individuals andnetworking all kind of in the
same way.
So when we can shift ourmindset about networking, it
(03:17):
doesn't become this thing thatyou you need a lot of time for
or need to build up someconfidence to like go to these
events and conferences toconnect with people.
Networking essentially happenseverywhere you go and it can be
(03:37):
embedded in everything you do.
So if you can shift yourmindset about networking to this
way, you know way of thinking,I assure you it will be much,
much easier.
Yes, the dedicated networkingevents and conferences are
important and you do need to goout to those.
I encourage you, at least oncea year if you can.
(04:01):
But so are the informalconversations that you have both
online and offline.
Right, and that's what I wantto remind you today that
networking, buildingrelationships, connecting with
people, growing your communityall of those things they don't
need to happen at this specialdedicated networking event or
(04:25):
conference, and they can happenevery single day, both online
and offline.
So what does that mean?
That means that you have tothink about one interacting with
people in the world of publichealth in some way every day, if
not a handful of times a week,and that can happen both online
(04:47):
and offline, offline, maybe it'swhen you are in the office,
when you are going in.
I know some people have hybridopportunities nowadays and so
whenever you go into the officeare there individuals that you
can have conversation with,individuals, especially who you
don't work with on a day-to-daybasis?
I remember when I was in theoffice you know, pre-pandemic I
(05:11):
used to love just catching upwith people when I was making
tea or waiting for the elevatoror even just going out for after
work events and coffee, and Ireally made it a point to book
those things.
So I'd ask somebody for acoffee or maybe just reach out
to somebody and say, hey, I'veheard that you've done this
(05:34):
project and I'd love to learnmore about it.
And so some of those offline,in-person connections can go a
long way and I encourage you todo that intentionally even now.
You know, even if you don'thave the opportunity to go into
an office and there isn't a lotof traffic at your workplace,
definitely make it a pointwhether you're in school now and
(05:54):
you have professors or othercolleagues.
Make it a point whether you'rein school now and you have
professors or other colleagues.
Make it a point to get thosein-person times.
And if there are individualswho you've met on LinkedIn,
reach out to them for coffee orgo for a walk, whatever it is
you know, find people in yourregion and have those in-person
(06:15):
conversations.
In terms of online connections,it's another way to network, and
here are some ideas, so youknow.
One is if you read a paper oran article that someone wrote
and you feel inspired by it itcould even be a blog post that
you wrote reach out to them,send them a note instead of just
(06:35):
thinking that, oh, this was areally good piece of work.
Reach out to them and let themknow that you read their piece,
this is what you took away fromit, and that you just wanted to
send them a note to let themknow that and this is a form of
networking, right You'replanting the seed for this
relationship that couldpotentially blossom into
something more.
(06:55):
So that's one example or oneway that you could network kind
of online.
Another way to network onlineis by commenting and engaging
regularly with content onLinkedIn or another social media
platform where you get yourpublic health, career info from,
and when you show up in thecomments section of some
(07:21):
individuals who are alwaysposting, you're going to meet
and connect with people in thecomments.
Believe it or not, this happens.
You know, some of the people Ihave reached out to are people
who I have engaged with in thecomments, because we often will
bounce off of each other'scomments and we'll have good
(07:43):
dialogue in the comments andthen, you know, a couple days
later there might be anotherpost.
And you know, linkedin'salgorithm is just so great that
when somebody posts or somebodycomments, it shows up on your
feed and these individuals areessentially part of your network
and then you're able to engagethere.
And when you keep seeing thatsame person over and over again,
(08:04):
week after week after week,naturally you're just going to
want to reach out to them, right?
You feel like you know them,and I've done that quite a few
times where I've hadconversations with people in the
comments and then finally,months later, I send them a
connection request and I say youknow, I can't believe we're not
connected already.
It feels like we've beentalking forever.
(08:24):
So that's a form of networking.
So don't dismiss that, and Ireally want you to try that.
I know it's really difficult toput yourself out there to share
your opinions and thoughts outin the open online, but it's a
really good way to network andyou can do it from the comfort
of your own home or wherever youare right, so try that out.
(08:45):
Other ways to network and thisis something that I learned from
Sue Griffey she's a greatmentor here with PHSpot.
She does a lot of greatmentorship and career
development type of advice andtips on her page on LinkedIn.
So check her out.
And that's connecting withpeople in the same way you would
connect with them in thecomments of LinkedIn, but at
(09:07):
webinars, at online events andonline conferences.
So when you're, you know,showing up to these types of
events, you are essentiallywatching some sort of a live
recording.
But there's also a chatfunction, right, and typically
the host might say like, hey,introduce yourself.
And you introduce yourself, andwhen you do that, there might
be somebody whose introductionreally catches your eye.
(09:28):
Start talking to them in thechat yourself, and when you do
that, there might be somebodywhose introduction really
catches your eye.
Start talking to them in thechat window, and then there
might be other people who arereally intrigued by the
conversation that you guys arehaving and then you could take
that initial connection and moveit to either email, linkedin or
other social media messagingplatform, and that's really a
(09:51):
great way to also network,because that person showed up to
an event that you also showedup to, which probably you know,
hints at the fact that you bothhave similar interests.
So I want you to just usetoday's very short episode as an
inspiration to reframe the waythat you think about networking,
(10:13):
really reframe it asrelationship building or human
to human connection, so that youcan take the pressure off of
quote unquote networking andthen, additionally, know and
understand and believe thatnetworking happens everywhere.
And it's something that youneed to do as much as possible
(10:35):
because it's going to beextremely valuable as you grow
in your public health career.
And I talk about somethingcalled strategic networking, and
that means you know, connectingand reaching out with people
and content, going to eventsthat are in line with the goals
that you have set out foryourself.
Right, and the best example Igive is maybe you want to pursue
(11:00):
a doctor of public healthdegree 10 years from now, a DRPH
degree.
So start going to those kindsof events, start following
content written by individualswith that degree and start
engaging with those communities,because, even though it's not
something that you want to doimmediately now.
It is something that you wantto consider for yourself in five
(11:21):
to 10 years.
So imagine a relationship thatyou've built that has been five
years of, you know, constantlyshowing up, constantly
connecting with the individual,constantly building a
relationship where there'smutual trust and respect, and
then, when the time comes, youhave somebody that you can lean
(11:41):
on to ask them all the questionsthat you might have.
Right, Remember that initialquestion I asked you can you
name five people off the top ofyour head who could help you
with any public health careerchallenge that you are facing or
will face?
And if the answer is no, then Iencourage you to really, really
really put some time intobuilding your community,
(12:02):
building those relationships,and if the answer is yes,
continue to grow that circle ofindividuals and also strengthen
those relationships.
It's not something that youjust do once and you let go of.
Relationship needs nurturing,so I encourage you to continue
strengthening thoserelationships.
Okay, so that's all I have foryou today.
(12:22):
It's a short and quick episodeabout networking happening
everywhere, and I really hopethis gives you that boost of
energy or inspiration to go outthere and build those
relationships for your publichealth career.
So until next time.
This is Sujani.
Thank you so much for beingpart of this community.
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