0. Why Don’t You Get a Job? GSO Peer Professionalization Workshop 3
October 19, 2016
Matthew John Hadodo

1. Peer Professionalization
Welcome to the third in a three-part series on using online resources to transition from graduate school to a career in either academia or industry.
Social Media
Website Design
Online Networking

2. Reflection What is your current personal/professional situation?
Who are you as a person?
Who are you as an academic/professional?
What are your current personal/professional goals?
How do you define networking?
Do you participate in any sort of networking activities?
What do you hope to accomplish today broadly?
What are specific take aways you hope to leave with?

3. Net-working?
Network- a group or system of interconnected people or things
Family
Friends
Colleagues
Networking-
Expanding your existing network
Strengthening ties within network
Personally/professionally
You network whenever you interact with other people!
Face-to-face or digitally

4. Review- Social Media
Various social media platforms adds to your overall online presence
More opportunities for people to find you/your work
Adds credibility
Photos and videos when appropriate are advised
Increases memorability
Consistency among different social media sites is best approach
As long as you follow each site’s format, style etc. (go with the flow)
Daily use is not necessary, but be more active than passive
Regular updates are essential (employers want to know what you’re doing not just what you did)
Even just weekly activity increases exposure
Don’t stress out over it- Have fun!

5. Review- Websites
Have as many opportunities to promote yourself as possible
Personal and professional website
Have them link to one another and other social media
Keep your goals in mind with each site
What do you need on a professional website to show that you are great at doing X and can add something interesting to it
What is something about yourself that potential employers might normally not get the chance to learn otherwise
Photos and videos when appropriate are advised
Increases memorability
Consistency among different sites is best approach
As long as you follow each site’s format, style etc. (go with the flow)
Daily use is not necessary, but be more active than passive
Even just weekly activity increases exposure
Have fun!

6. ListServs Many academic groups have listservs
You receive s (daily/weekly/monthly)
Provide info for:
Calls for papers
Conferences
New publications
Job Openings
Can be a talking point when meeting other people
I saw on X that Y posted Z
Builds a sense of community

7. From Online to In Person
Online networking is great but the point is to connect with people to get a job in reality
Online should bolster, not replace
Most online networking venues provide face-to- face opportunities
Online can feel “safe” because it’s lower risk, but in person contact is not much different
So many kinds of networking events
Do your homework
“Dress for the job you want-not what you have”

8. Attend Conferences Conferences and industry shows are educational
Share with others in your field
Lead to future collaborations
Might be future employers or introductions to employers
Often have additional social components
Activities
Meals
TAKE BUSINESS CARDS
Give out your own
Take others
Follow up: /social media
Being “matchmaker” can be even more rewarding
Putting people you know into contact with one another benefits them, but also paints you as a team-player

9. Strictly Social? Different organizations host various social events
Happy hours
Sports championships/leagues
Dinners
Just like with personal websites/social media, show different side to other people
Often more memorable impact than in purely professional environments
Exchange contact info
Meetup
Find people with similar hobbies
GSO
Monthly meetings
Peer Professionalization Workshop
Bar trivia
Movie Night
Grad Expo/Committees (teaching awards)

10. Versatile PhD
Versatile PhD is the oldest, largest online community dedicated to non-academic and non-faculty careers for PhDs in humanities, social science and STEM.
70,000+ users from U.S. and Canada
Direct message professionals using search feature
Discussion boards and forums
Meetups all over the country
Pittsburgh branch
Regular/semi-regular meetings
Job listings

11. NETWORK EVERYWHERE Everyday has countless networking opportunities
Be proactive with online tools
Don’t assume anything will “just happen”
Just because it’s not a “networking event” doesn’t mean it’s not a networking event!
Small talk in the elevator
Checking mail at the department office
Student voting registrars
Lunch with friends of friends
NOT just a one-time thing
Following up is following through

12. Moving Forward Don’t approach networking with dread
View it as extension of friendship building
Online networking should bolster not replace in person networking
Even light activity can make a big impact
Networking is not just a one-time thing
/Social Media to reinforce
Networking is not always all about yourself
Matchmaking
You get whatever you put into it
Have fun!