This Episode
Officially marks 2 years of the podcast!! (YAY)
Part 2 of 3 part episode series devoted to professional networking. If you haven’t listened to part 1 then be sure you go back and listen to episode 103.
I will be talking about Leveling up your professional networking- doing something different from what you’ve always done (maybe even a little outside of your comfort zone) to help you get better results.
I’ll cover 5 reasons you should be networking, then share tips from previous guests on the podcast regarding importance of networking, and finally tie the messages together at the end with some key takeaways and action steps for you.
This is a coaching session and I’m going a little deeper into this topic because it deserves all of our attention. So, since I’m putting in the effort to share it on this deep level, I’m asking you to do the same regarding listening. What I’m about to share will be very helpful for a lot of you.
Listen to the episode
5 Reasons You Should Be Networking
1. Helps you fight the disconnected feeling that sometimes comes from not having people around you who understand what you do or your vision.
2. Broadens your perspective about public health, what is possible, how other professionals are serving (students, professionals).
3. Keeps you connected to the industry and prevents you from boxing yourself into your own routine and agenda and growing cold (prevents you from getting too comfortable and stagnant)
4. Energizes you and helps you continuously think creatively about how you show up every day in the way that you serve (business owners, professionals).
5. You don’t know what you don’t know! If you are not connecting with new people, learning about what they are doing, then you are just accumulating a pile of missed opportunities.
Previous episodes where guests share advice about the importance of networking
Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and professor at the University of Texas, School of Public Health.
Dr. Oscar Alleyne was the Senior Advisor of Public Health Programming at the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). He has been promoted since the podcast interview and is now the Chief of Programs and Services at NACCHO.
Dr. Levin discusses her journey from into public health and her work as an epidemiologist in the county health department. She talks about lab work, academia, and so much more.
Dr. Jasmine Ward, founder of Black Ladies in Public Health (BLiPH). BLiPH is a global community of black women who are interested in, are training, and working in public health. She has experience as a professor, community health leader, advocate, and a public health entrepreneur.
She is a professor, researcher, owns a consulting business, and hosts a podcast. She is passionate about HIV research, mental health, trauma, and aging. She shares some valuable tips and advice for public health students, professionals, and those interested in starting a business.
Rosalie is the national project coordinator for Salud America!, which is a national Latino-focused organization that creates culturally relevant and research-based stories, videos, and tools to inspire people to start and support healthy changes to policies, systems, and environments where Latino children and families can equitably live, learn, work, and play.
CEO of CVH Consulting, You may remember her from the very first Public Health Consulting and Entrepreneurship Expo that I held, where she was one of my cohosts.
Of Roman Public Health Consulting. You may also remember Leah from the very first Public Health Consulting and Entrepreneurship Expo that I held, where she was also one of my cohosts.
Putting it all together
All of the examples that I just shared with you are a result of my networking efforts. When I met these people, I didn’t know that they would become guests on my podcast. That was not my goal or intention when I met them. Some of the connections were a result of my direct reaching out, and others were a result of me responding to them and their connection messages or greetings in person.
If I had not leveled up my networking efforts, I would never had started this podcast. You would not have heard the public health career journeys and stories from my guests over the last two years.
I’ve had people tell me that they started businesses, and podcasts as a result of interacting with me and my business and podcast. If I had not leveled up my networking efforts, those new podcasters would not have met me or been inspired and encouraged by me to start their own podcasts and businesses.
Sometimes it helps me to remember that it’s not about me. I have to level up, because I’m here to serve. Think about it. If you are not networking, then who is missing out and not benefiting from having met you? Who is waiting to hear your story? Who is waiting to be inspired by you?
This is why I’m challenging all of you to level up your professional networking strategy.
Two programs that can help you with professional networking in public health
A step by step beginners guide to setting up and optimizing your profile, getting found by the right recruiters and professionals, finding clients and business connections, and growing your network on LinkedIn
This program is for students, graduates, professionals in public health, including business owners planning to attend a big or small public health conference within the next six months. Learn simple strategies for effective networking before, during, and after the conference so that you can develop your own professional networking action plan for your next public health conference.
You can choose each program individually, or together as a bundle. They work exceptionally well together.
As a community, students, professionals of all levels, let’s take our networking efforts to the next level!
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