Networking in Your Own Backyard
An important place for networking that is often overlooked is where you currently work or study. It is your most accessible networking arena and one that provides opportunities daily. Developing relationships with your colleagues will make work life more enjoyable and improve your job performance.
No one works with complete independence (even evil geniuses with volcano lairs have minions 😉). If you know about the skills, talents, and interests of those around you, when you hit a roadblock with a project, need an extra pair of hands, or want to brainstorm ideas, you will know who to turn to for assistance. People in your company will be more motivated to help you than those outside of it because supporting you means investing in the shared success of the organization. And your projects and company will benefit as a result.
The following are some sustainable networking activities you can start performing today within your place of work or study:
- Deepen Existing Relationships: Make a conscious effort to have more conversations with your boss/supervisor and the colleagues you already know. Be curious about them. Ask questions and spend time getting to know more about both their work and personal life.
- Expand Your Radius: Don’t just stick to your immediate team. Get to know staff or students in other research groups and portfolio areas, including administrative, facilities, and business development to better understand how your organization functions.
- Maximize “Water Cooler” Moments: Use break rooms for brief, informal chats. Since colleagues are already on a break, you aren’t interrupting deep work, making them more receptive to a quick, rapport-building conversation. Short, regular interactions are a great way to establish and strengthen your relationships.
- Make Consistent Effort: Commit to regularly networking within your company. It doesn’t have to be extreme or time consuming—consistency beats intensity. Consider setting weekly goals for yourself, like checking in with two people you already know and introducing yourself to one new person each week to gradually grow your reach.
- Practice Strategic Attendance: Attend social events or holiday parties hosted by your organization. It can be easy to fall into the “busy” trap and skip things. Don’t feel pressured to go to everything but make sure to attend certain key events to build familiarity without causing burnout. Larger events are a great way to meet people at your company that you don’t regularly have the opportunity to interact with.
- Join Workplace Groups: Explore existing clubs, professional development groups, or diversity associations that match your interests. Even if you are busy, attending regularly, even at a low frequency, will help you stay connected to your peers.
- Host Your Own Event: If a group for your interests doesn’t exist, consider starting one. Organizing a small journal club, a running group, or a monthly meeting to discuss patent ideas creates opportunities for both you and your coworkers.
- Volunteer: Your company or university might host volunteering opportunities focused on community service. Participating is not only a valuable community service, it is an excellent networking opportunity. If your organization doesn’t host such events, you could reach out to leadership about helping to organize one.
Throughout all your workplace networking interactions, keep an equitable exchange of information in mind. Know your co-workers’ interests and strengths and make sure they know yours, too, including your respective ongoing projects. If your colleagues and your boss have a clear picture of your interests, skills, and talents, they are more likely to include you in new, relevant projects. Networking within your company is also a great way to generate new ideas for projects and find areas where your company can improve. And if you develop rapport vertically with management, as well as laterally with your peers, it will be easier to share those ideas and get them implemented.
A special note for remote workers
Being physically removed from your co-workers presents different challenges to networking within your work “place.” If possible, go to your office in person at regular intervals, be strategic with your visits, and maximize the face-to-face interaction that you get when you are there. Create a routine so that people know when to expect you to be in the office, and observe the principles described above about getting to know your co-workers and management. Participate in office social events, parties, and volunteering opportunities when you can. Also, not being in the office every day doesn’t preclude you from being an event organizer.
When you are not in the office, or if you are a completely remote employee, telephone and video calls will be an important substitute for face-to-face interaction. You can still build relationships with your colleagues, but it will take more regular maintenance and intentional effort. Chapter 10 of Sustainable Networking for Scientists and Engineers describes helpful strategies for maintaining your network with digital and online methods.
Networking to benefit you, your coworkers, and your company
It is easiest to create enduring connections when you are in close proximity to people. You have the most opportunities and the fewest logistical challenges to getting to know them. Your intracompany network is a powerful tool that will make you more effective in your current role, improve your ability to support your colleagues, and ultimately, benefit your company. The connections and friendships that you develop with your classmates or colleagues will remain an important part of your network even after you graduate or change jobs. Not developing those relationships is like ignoring an employer’s offer to match your retirement contributions; don’t leave these opportunities on the table!
First published in the Virtuous Cycles Newsletter on 20.03.2026
by Christina C. C. Willis
Sustainable Networking 