Hi Barb, 

I’ve been thinking about what makes networking easy—or hard—for people in science, healthcare and public health. 

Many of us were taught with facts and numbers. We focused on rock types, anatomy or statistics. We didn't have courses on, say, how to listen or to make friends. 

And the pandemic stalled our learning of social skills and limited using what skills we knew.  

I'm in the re-learning phase, taking classes, reading books, going to networking events, and simply practicing every day: asking curious questions, listening intently, and following up afterward

Are you among the scientists who find networking awkward or even excruciating? 

If you are, we are in this together. With guided practice, networking can become easier and more natural for all of us. 

To practice leading networking in person, I volunteered to teach it at a national science conference earlier this month. 

It was so much fun, I decided to offer it online this Friday, October 24th. Learn more here.     

Why teach networking?  Because I want to help scientists to build relationships rooted in generosity and trust.  And, I"m experimenting with how best to teach it. 

Whether you are a student, an early career professional or seasoned or retired senior scientist -- and whether you are new to networking or it's easy for you -- you are welcome to practice networking on Friday! 

Warmly,

Barb Bickford

Science Networking Online – A Pilot
-- Friday, October 24, 2025, 1 PM ET / 12 noon CT / 10 AM PT, online (Zoom), 60 minutes. No cost. 

Join me in an online networking event designed for scientists who want to improve their networking skills while actually networking!  Learn more here.  Sign up before midnight on Thursday.  Register here

Science and Technology (S&T) Newsletter

Deborah Stine offers practical advice for finding S&T jobs and writes related topics on LinkedIn. You can subscribe to her Dear Debbie newsletter.  Here's an example post about writing skills-first resumes.  She also posts weekly about S&T job openings 

Three of my favorite books about networking

Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success
Adam Grant, Penguin Books, 2014
https://adamgrant.net/book/give-and-take/

The 20-Minute Networking Meeting: Learn to Network. Get a Job.
(Professional, Executive, Veterans, and Graduate editions)
Nathan A. Perez and Marcia Ballinger, Career Innovations Press, 2016 
Available at bookstores and online booksellers

Endless Referrals (Third Edition) This is the classic book!
Bob Burg, The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2005
https://thegogiver.com/endless-referrals/

Related blog posts
-- 4 Tips for Growing Your Professional Network (Harvard Business School Online)
-- 23 Networking Tips to Use at Your Next Conference (Ex Ordo Blog)
-- How to create more engaging conferences with liberating structures and networking

Our upcoming events, workshops and courses

Build networking skills in your meetings

Networking isn’t just for conferences or special events. You can practice—and benefit from—networking skills in your everyday life, including during meetings.  

One of the easiest ways to do this is through the Liberating Structure Impromptu Networking.  In just a few minutes, everyone gets a chance to connect, listen, and build trust.  And we all know trust is essential to collaboration. 

In my last newsletter, I shared the FORM questions which make it easier to skip "small talk".  You might also practice FORM questions at the start of your meetings, as well as two general follow-up questions that really work in just about any conversation.

Don't have my last newsletter email anymore?  Find "[Tips] Networking: From Awkward to Enjoyable" in my Newsletter Archive, 

Want even more tips? Access Ten Tips to Foster Online Engagement.

If you were forwarded this newsletter email, you may subscribe here.
You can also sign up for topics that you want to hear more about. 

Photo Credit: Matthew Pfeffer