This Thing brings together the strands of the programme, thinking about online networking and how that is linked with “real life” networking. The Seven Things programme has talked a lot about social networks - Twitter, LinkedIn, SlideShare, etc. But how do these online networks translate into real life interactions and vice versa? The two are complementary - for example you can follow up a face-to-face meeting by connecting with someone on LinkedIn, which helps to keep you in touch with that person and see what they are up to. Michelle did this after attending some conferences this summer. It’s sometimes also easier to approach someone at a networking event or conference if you already “know” them online. Interacting with people on Twitter will give you a way to break the ice - either by mentioning something the person has tweeted about or saying you follow them on Twitter. Networking is a relationship activity - it’s about making connections, learning new things and sharing ideas and information. An example of this in the library and information sector is Library Camp. Library Camp is an unconference, where LIS workers come together and talk about library issues. Many of the participants already know each other from Twitter and other online and real life networks, but it’s also an opportunity to connect with new people. Professional organisations are also networks. AGCAS is the main one for careers services. If there’s not a network near you or one you feel comfortable in, why not set up your own? Why is it useful for a careers professional? Networking forms a key part of our roles. Whether it is meeting employers at briefing session, chatting with fellow careers staff from other institutions at an AGCAS conference or sharing information with colleagues from other teams within SHU, networking helps us to share best practice and keep our knowledge up to date, enabling us to provide the best possible service to students. Online networking activities can complement real life networking activities, too. As we discussed in Thing 4, LinkedIn is a great place to keep in contact with graduate recruiters. If you meet a recruiter at a real life event, you could follow this up by connecting with them on LinkedIn. Similarly, if you would like the support of careers professionals across the UK, why not join one of the AGCAS LinkedIn groups? It’s a great way of sharing information, ideas and useful links. You may already subscribe to AGCAS emails but if you’ve not joined their LinkedIn groups yet, you may be surprised at what additional information you’ve been missing out on. If you’re interested in sharing ideas and information with your colleagues within SHU, then you could join SHU’s Yammer network. This is a private network for SHU staff. There are currently several interest groups on SHU’s Yammer, these include: Student and Learning Services, Digital Literacy, ACES and SBS. Yammer has great potential for being a space where we can share useful links and information. To find out more about Yammer, speak to Dave, Michelle or Kelly and we can send you an invite. Employability benefits for students Bringing together online and in-person networking can have huge benefits for students. One is informational interviewing - students can find and connect with someone online, before asking them to talk further with them about their job and company. It’s a different approach from the traditional method. This might be particularly effective using LinkedIn - connecting with people using groups before moving into a real life situation. Students can also gain industry knowledge through developing their contacts. Developing a wide range of people who know your skills and experience means it’s more likely that someone will recommend you for work, work experience, speaking opportunities and collaborative projects. Joining professional bodies is a good way of getting networking experience. They will run conferences and events and likely have an online presence too. You can also give back to the profession by sitting on committees and volunteering to help out - whilst at the same time meeting new people and expanding your network! This can help show skills as well - being a committee treasurer can show budgeting experience, for example. Another place to look is alumni networks. SHU has a LinkedIn group for alumni. Joining a group like this means you automatically have something in common - you studied at the same place and can share experiences. Alumni networks can be a safe place to try out networking skills. Finally, if you can’t find a local network that you want to join, why not set up your own? This will enable you to meet new, like-minded people as well as learning new skills like event management. Michelle set up LIKE North with some other librarians as they felt there weren’t enough professional development opportunities in the north for LIS professionals. Task 1: Identify networks your students might be able to get involved in. These could be virtual, real life or a mix of both. Task 2: A student comes to you for advice on how to follow up with someone they have met at a real life networking event. How would you advise them? Further reading Social networking in Plain English - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_KF7TYKVc Networking for introverts - http://www.joeyanne.co.uk/2011/05/20/networking-for-introverts 24 networking tips that actually work - http://passivepanda.com/networking-tips Networking in the creative industries: http://www.creativeskillset.org/careers/networking/index_1.asp Networking: A 10 Minute Guide - podcast from the The Careers Group, University of London http://www.careers.lon.ac.uk/podcasts/networkingin10.mp3 (available under Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.) Networking skills video from Career Player - http://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/its-not-what-you-know