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2 years ago in Academic Networking By Fern G

How important is networking within my own department versus networking externally?

My supervisor says I need to build a national reputation, but I also need support from my departmental colleagues. Should I prioritize going to conferences and reaching out externally, or focus more on building strong internal alliances first?

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By Shubham Dhingra Answered 1 year ago

You need both, but they serve different purposes. Internal networking is your foundation. Strong relationships with department faculty, postdocs, and peers provide daily support, mentorship, teaching opportunities, and crucial reference letters. They are your first-line advocates. External networking builds your academic reputation and future mobility. Conferences, workshops, and social media connect you to the broader field, leading to collaborations, job prospects, and invitations. My advice: Invest deeply internally first (first 1-2 years of PhD), establishing yourself as a reliable colleague. Then, systematically expand externally by presenting at conferences and engaging online. A common mistake is neglecting internal relationships while chasing external fame, which can leave you isolated without strong local advocates.

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