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Part Two: Networking - Tips and Tricks

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Mona Fazzina, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy, Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults, VPTA Communications Chair, shared her thoughts and experiences with Volunteering and Networking, topics that touch all our professional lives. 

1. When did you learn about the value of networking?

Through volunteering, I realized that one thing led to another and by making connections professionally and contributing, I was helped immensely in my own professional life. For the longest time I thought, "Networking is not for me. I’m not very social. I am a bit of an introvert. I don’t like going out, I don’t like staying up late, or parties or small talk." So, anything that came my way as an invitation to "network" I promptly ignored and shied away from. However, when I look back at the last 10 years, I realize that job opportunities, changes in a professional path, learning to talk to others, learning to negotiate, learning to be efficient, all these things were developed through volunteering and networking. Skills I learned while volunteering and meeting others are helping me to navigate changes in my professional path and to develop professionally and personally.

2.  How has it benefited you?

Regardless of personality, we were made for connecting with others. That can be accomplished many different ways. For me, my tentative foray into volunteering helped me to "be myself" and stay quiet, while learning by listening to others and watching others. I don’t know if I contributed much initially but looking back, I was learning. It was exciting to be part of that process. It started with doing something that I had "never done before." I look back and realize that there were job opportunities, volunteer opportunities, committee member opportunities and faculty position opportunities that were all a result of initially volunteering somewhere. In fact, a recent opportunity that presented itself was, in part, a result of volunteering and networking in 2009 in another state. That is 10 years ago and thousands of miles away!

At a membership meeting about 10 years ago, I looked at a printed list of volunteer opportunities that was shared by the state chapter during a membership meeting and picked what I was interested in. It stated clearly that it was a 2-hour commitment, once every other month. I felt I could do that. I told myself, “Worst case scenario, if I am making a mistake, I only have to do this for 2 hours 5-6 times a year.” I grew to love it! I’m glad I took that first step, however uncertainly. I suppose we all have something within us that wants to be part of something meaningful which allows us to express ourselves.

3.  How do you maintain your network?

I am intentional about writing and speaking to people. Look for ways to give people something. Express gratitude at every opportunity. Do not forget or fail to remember how others have helped you in your professional journey. Write a handwritten note to your professor in college who wrote a fine recommendation letter for you, to the recruiter who worked for months so you could get the job in the country you wanted to go to, and to the person who introduced you to the faculty member and recommended you for an adjunct faculty position. There is no end to the number of people I owe my gratitude to. 

Express your gratitude verbally, in writing, and in action. Even those whom you may perceive as having been at odds with you have caused you to go a certain way in your professional journey so be grateful for that. Remember how wonderful it feels when a patient writes you a handwritten note. You never throw that away.  

You don’t want to "network" only when you want something from someone. People can sniff that a mile away! Be authentic. Give something in return, mentor others, look for students and clinicians who want to be mentored and invest in them. Remember your mentors, stay in touch with them, and learn to mentor others. Constantly look for someone to learn from and someone who wants to learn from you. Be intentional about this.

4.  How do you network?

Email, handwritten notes, collaboration in meetings, over the phone, sometimes text. Stay in touch, be intentional about opportunities to help someone else. Introduce a new graduate to the world of ABPTS even though he has just passed the NPTE! Introduce a resident to a faculty member. Get involved in your community, your church, your neighborhood. Write a letter to a speaker after a presentation letting them know how glad you are to have signed up for their course and how much you learned. Seemingly little things can make a significant impact. Think of the difference between the patient who says thank you verbally (we appreciate this), and the patient who took the time to write in a card and mail it to you (we cherish this!). When you attend a district level meeting, say hello to others, make eye contact and stop to linger in conversation. When stopping at exhibitors’ tables at a conference, stop and say hello to them, and when you go home with their business cards, email them and thank them. If you liked their product, say so and make it a point to share that information with your colleagues and patients. Sometimes all you have is a business card and a few seconds. Be sure to email that person and connect soon after the face-to-face meeting.

5.  What challenges have you faced trying to build a network?

Firstly, the busyness of people, myself and others. Sometimes you have less than a minute to meet and interact with someone. I think it is important to be thoughtful and prepared in conversation. Speak and write like an educated adult. Be a giver. There is this onslaught of things to do daily that I have in four separate lists: work, studies, VPTA/APTA and "other." I find it hard to be succinct in my communication and this is something I am learning. I spend too much time "crafting an email." I’m the person that can say "very good," or "thank you" in three paragraphs! To get everything done, I am forced to learn to communicate succinctly without seeming rushed, rude or abrupt. I have not mastered this yet!

Secondly, the pitfalls of social media can make it harder to network. Eye contact and immersive conversations are much more effective in building professional relationships than chronic scrolling, tapping, posting and texting. I try to sustain linear attention with people while conversing with them rather than being distracted by social media and a smartphone. I need to see social media as a tool to be used rather than a sea to be immersed in. The best friendships have been cultivated with unhurried, lingering conversations. I’m trying to heed this admonition: Let your communication be not only in tweets and texts but also in words and deeds!

Thirdly, establishing priorities with limited resources. I recommend attending district level conferences; they involve minimum travel, time and cost. Attending a district level conference or meeting is a first step PA and has the least obstacles. The travel and time involved is minimal and it can be very rewarding. Then do consider state level conferences and national conferences. Between in-person networking events, stay in touch with people and be intentional about it.

Links:

‘INVOLVEMENT IS EASY’ an APTA initiative

I initially thought that volunteering was this other thing that some PTs and PTAs did when they had time and if they wanted to socialize. I was mistaken; it is part of being a PT or PTA.

 

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