No Man is an island, entire of itself.

- John Donne from Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, Meditation XVII

What is networking?

Networking is exchange of information, contacts, and referrals with people who can provide you with important information about specific careers and help you obtain an internship, job or relevant information. Networking can lead to new relationships, new opportunities and greater accomplishments.

Why networking is relevant

• Career exploration – Learn about the various job opportunities in the different fields
• Career tips – Get hints from the professionals who made it
• Job-Search advice – Find connections for job or internship prospects
• Organization research – Talk to your future employers to learn about the company
• Field enquiry – Discover more about the investigated career field

One may believe that networking is just the process of making connections. But maintaining connections is an equally important process. Networking is crucial, particularly in times of recession when employers are less able to foresee their recruitment needs in advance. For that reason, there is an increased tendency to depend on “just-in-time” hiring.  Therefore, it is necessary to stay in touch with family, friends, and university networks in order to meet people in the organization or industry of your choice. When there is an opening, you will (hopefully) be the first person they call.

So what are you waiting for? Go on and explore the Networking section of BioBiz to hone your networking skills.

Image: Flickr/3D Full Spectrum Unity Holding Hands Concept