It's about who you know...

I know, I know. I just posted a long explanation about why experience is so important, but this follows the same trend. Getting to know as many people in your field of interest as possible is critical to success in the scientific community. This extends not only to the beginning of your career but even through to the very end.

According to a recent article on CNN.com in today's world job seekers have an increased chance of landing a job if they have connections. This is no different in the world of science. Not only are these connections important to get a job but don't forget about reference letters! Each graduate school application requires at least 2-3 letters of reference.

Additionally, forging collaborations is the future of basic science research not only between scientist and scientist but also between scientist and clinician.

Seize every opportunity to network and make connections!
Below I have made a list of ideal places and settings:

1) Conferences: Conferences are the supreme place to meet other members of the scientific community! When you have gathered enough data to present a poster, talk to your PI and find a conference to attend. Make sure to be mindful of the abstract submission date. Also, many of these conferences or even your university will offer some sort of travel award if you are presenting. Some universities might even have an "in house" smaller scale poster symposium so that you can get some practice if you haven't presented before. There are a variety of opportunities across the country and internationally listed at .

In my personal experience, I used to attend a regional conference when I was an undergrad at DePaul University. In my senior year after I had already applied to graduate schools I introduced myself to a professor during this meeting who came from one of the universities I had applied to and because of this conversation I landed an interview at that university and received an offer. From this experience, I hope to repeat this in a few years when I look for a post-doctoral fellowship.

2) On campus: Talks, seminars, defenses and poster sessions bring faculty members from all departments across campus together for a common purpose, to talk science! Usually, if it is a special occasion food and libations are provided. Not only will you be able to talk to faculty members from your campus but you might even be able to rub elbows with guest speakers who are Noble prize laureates. You never know who you could end up sitting next to! If you are interested in their research, go up and talk to them after their seminar. Don't be shy.

3) Class, workshops and student organizations: It is also very important to get to know graduate students and post-doctoral fellows across your university because not only can they be excellent resources for protocols or qualifying exams but never forget that they will someday be PI's or in industry across the country.

Try your best to stay connected to those people that you meet even if they can't help you. Some day you might just be the conduit between two others.
Remember as Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." So forge those connections!!!