Students on their way to a graduate degree learn many things, both inside labs and classrooms, and out. But, there’s one thing essential to the career of every Ph.D. that previously was far too often overlooked. Networking.
And the students know it.
In one survey by UNMC Graduate Studies, “80 percent wanted a class on how to do it,” said Terri Vadovski, director of Graduate Administrative Services.
Not all of us may naturally know how to do it. But, networking is a skill that can lead to crucial opportunities – both career-wise, and in pursuit of knowledge.
Graduate Studies does not offer formal classes — networking is, by its nature, informal. Instead, Graduate Studies has partnered — networked? — with Bio Nebraska, to sponsor a series of BioNetworking “Happy Hours.”
Bio Nebraska is an association of companies and institutions, banded together as a “like-minded champion of biotechnology and an advocate for its member organizations promoting academic, industry, and government partnerships to foster the growth of life sciences within Nebraska.”
The happy hours bring together four or five companies and 25 spots for students, which fill up fast. The March 30 event was at Stirnella Bar and Kitchen in Omaha’s Blackstone District.
“It’s like a speed-dating event,” Vadovski said, with participants getting to know one another in an after-hours, no-risk setting.
And, it’s a win-win. While the students get to ease into networking and perhaps even make connections, the companies benefit, too.
“We want them to know we have plenty of students,” with lots of scientific talent, Vadovski said.
Meanwhile, the students themselves also have taken initiative. The Graduate Student Association (GSA) organized its own Student Networking Night series.
“We aimed to create an intimate and relaxed environment promoting open conversation,” said Tayla Heavican, who served as GSA social chair last year and will be its president this upcoming term.
The GSA held two events in 2016-17.
“The first emphasized the significance of being involved outside of the laboratory setting and the opportunities it may enable post-graduation,” Heavican said. “The most recent event was academia-focused, in which our guests consisted of an experienced professor, second-year professor and a current graduate student on the teaching track.”
More events from diverse areas are on the agenda for the upcoming year, Heavican said, following a survey of the students on their areas of interest.