You pick up any book or article on careers and most likely there is something about the importance of networking. I think networking is very important, but I've never liked the typical advice of attending a professional event with the sole purpose of getting your business card into the hands of as many people as possible. So, twenty people have your business card and perhaps you have the card of the same twenty people. Now what? Probably not much.
I think real networking occurs when you become part of something with others--aka, a professional group or society. Let me give you an example.
About five years ago I became a member of the Society for Information Management (SIM). SIM is a national organization. I belong to the Boston chapter, the largest chapter in the country. SIM offers a number of things for IT professionals--an annual conference, regional leadership development programs, local lunch and dinner meetings with interesting speakers, and a CIO roundtable. While I have enjoyed all the offerings of SIM, I have probably gotten the most value out of the CIO roundtables.
For three years I facilitated the CIO roundtable. We get together five times a year. There are usually about 30 people at the meeting. The meeting portion lasts about 4 hours. As a group, we select the topics of the meetings. In the past year we have discussed everything from career strategies to business intelligence to emerging technologies. Following the meetings, we go out to dinner where the networking continues, sometimes late into the night. Between meetings we stay connected through an online group.
Through my involvement with SIM, I have developed a strong network of about 60 people. We share job listings, work challenges and solutions, and lots of laughs about the nuances of working in the IT field. I know that if I need help with anything, I can call on any of my SIM colleagues and they can call on me. This is an example of a true network.
I haven't met a successful person yet who didn't get help along the way in their career. A network made up of professionals in your field is one way to get this kind of help. Joining an organization such as SIM is a great way to get started in building your network
Mary Finlay is the deputy chief Information officer of Partners HealthCare System, Inc., responsible for the daily management of an organization of 1,300 IS and telecommunications staff. Previously, she was the chief information officer of Brigham and Women's Hospital. She is also a member of the faculty for the Simmons School of Management.
Finlay is the chair of the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council and is active in the Boston Chapter of the Society of Information Management and the College of HealthCare Information Management Executives. She has been recognized with leadership awards from the Simmons School of Management, CIO, the New England Business and Technology Association, and Babson College.
The opinions expressed in this Weblog are those of the writer and may not represent the opinions of Network World.
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