Unstable Fluid Podcast 7: Find yourself a designated extrovert
Mar 24, 2025
Thomas and Kat dive into the art of networking for early career researchers. They explore the value of seminars as low-pressure opportunities for connection. Insights on leveraging supervisors and sociable peers to expand your network make for practical advice. Learn how to transform cold emails into warm introductions and coordinate with colleagues before conferences. The duo emphasizes the role of designated extroverts in easing the networking process, ensuring that even the shyest can find their footing in academia.
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Thesis On The Department Shelf Felt Final
- Kat kept a hardbound copy of her thesis and felt emotional placing it on department shelves.
- The tradition made the PhD feel final and connected her to past graduates.
Use Seminars As Low-Stakes Networking
- Attend local seminars and colloquia to hear active research before papers appear.
- Use these regular, low-pressure events to ask questions and begin conversations with visiting speakers.
Your Department Is Your First Network
- Your first academic network is already in your department: supervisors, peers, and seminars.
- Treat those inbuilt connections as your initial route to broader networking.