One of the topics our reading discusses this week is networking. I told Dr. H recently about my meeting a friend-of-a-friend, Emily Tucker, who is in Advising at Itawamba Community College. She and I talked briefly about how ICC is one of my ideal places to work after I finish my degree, and we talked about the program, about people we both know, and about how we should definitely stay in touch. She gave me her card, and we've emailed a couple times since.
I most certainly plan on staying in contact with Emily and with other community college-related contacts I've made over the years. These people can speak to different aspects of not only what I can do professionally but of who I am personally. In the same vein, all the contacts I've made as a result of my work with the University Libraries for the past 11 years will continue to be beneficial to me, even after I leave MSU and the Libraries system. Since the Libraries here at MSU are under Academic Affairs, I feel that the work I've done and the people with whom I stay in contact across campus via my position here in the Dean's Office have provided me with a great connection opportunity. I've been able to work first-hand with the cross-over between Academic and Student Affairs. I will certainly be putting my contacts to use in the coming year. :)
Lyle,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. Networking is key -- especially in the work we do. This relates both internally on our own campuses, but also externally as we reach out to others in the field. I liked how your text described our "spider web" of networks. Think about how you are developing your network and how you are investing time in those relationships. You excel at this. Keep it up as it will be of great benefit to you!
Dr. H