The pandemic has impacted the lives of professionals in a variety of ways in that we have adjusted our work, communication styles, and everyday life. Prior to the pandemic, many of us looked forward to networking opportunities where we could meet in-person and connect with other professionals to build relationships. However, since the advent of social distancing measures, in-person conferences and other networking events have had to be cancelled or adapted to virtual settings. In addition, other less traditional methods of networking, such as digital or virtual networking, have started to be used increasingly within professional settings. With these types of networking opportunities emerging as our new normal, how can medical laboratory professionals best navigate these virtual spaces?
One of the best ways to get started is to build an online presence through social media. Various social media platforms can be utilized to help create personal connections with those you want to connect with professionally, as well as to maintain professional relationships with those you have met previously in person. The online presence that you leave in the digital space has become a new kind of “first impression,” one that would normally occur when you meet with someone for the first time face-to-face. When creating a professional online presence, think about what you want your digital first impression to say about you.
Although social media platforms may be the easiest way to build a digital network, they are only one of the tools available to you. Virtual meeting platforms have become more popular during the pandemic as many professionals have been using this technology, while working from home. It has also been gaining popularity with professional educational events, such as conferences and continuing education opportunities. The main benefit associated with these platforms is the increased accessibility of content, as many medical laboratory professionals can attend and access these virtual opportunities from their own homes. Attending educational events on virtual meeting platforms also helps maintain contact within your current professional network, as well as expanding it. When operating new technologies that you are unfamiliar with, it is always important to remember that practice makes perfect. The more you use the various virtual meeting technologies out there, the more you will become familiar and comfortable with them.
Although some may be hesitant to begin networking within a digital environment, there are many benefits to this approach. These include diversifying your network for future job searches, creating a network of contacts with whom you can collaborate in the future, and building close personal connections. With the current job market trends, creating and maintaining connections through a digital network may be beneficial, since these connections may lead to new opportunities that you were previously unaware of. In addition, for the many medical laboratory professionals who have been affected by the increasing amount of social isolation, a digital network of like-minded professionals could serve as a supportive network.
With all these benefits in mind, how does a medical laboratory professional start with creating their own digital network? There is no single answer to this question, since everyone is different in their comfort levels and networking styles. Professionals with active networking styles tend to plan their networking to maximize their interactions, either by reaching out to professionals directly on social media or by speaking up at virtual events. They may also be more likely to create opportunities in which they can showcase their talents. Professionals with passive networking styles tend to connect with other professionals on social media to follow their career progress, commenting about it along the way. They may also be more likely to attend educational webinars to learn new topics or skills and connect with other attendees.
No matter what digital networking tools you use, or which kind of digital networking style you have, it is always important to remember that building your network takes time. However, take it step-by-step and reflect on your growth and you will be happy with the connections that you have made in the process.
Maria Roussakis, MLT
Platelet Immunology Laboratory,
McMaster University