How do you network with professionals outside your field?

Networking with professionals outside of your field can be beneficial. Here's how you can do it: 1. Events: Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars that cover interdisciplinary topics. 2. Workshops: Enroll in courses or workshops that attract participants from various backgrounds. 3. Networking Events: Attend general networking events or meetups to connect with a diverse range of professionals. 4. Collaborative Projects: Engage in cross-disciplinary projects that require cooperation with experts from different fields. 5. Alumni Networks: Leverage your educational institution's alumni network to connect with professionals from various industries.

LinkedIn is a great way to get access to professionals in any field or career. Before getting on this platform, I would challenge everyone to ask this question: "What is the reason for me to be here?". Crafting that initial message for a connection request or engaging with people's content should demonstrate one's intentions right away. Creating a context for this connection and being genuine are key to success so people don't second guess your intentions and get suspicious.

- Professional Societies and Organizations - Online Platforms like LinkedIn Pulse or Researchgate - University Events - Student Activities - LinkedIn or Twitter - Professional networking events and conferences

I find it difficult to network because I don't want to feel like I'm intruding or collecting people. I've discovered volunteering is an excellent way of meeting people with the side benefit of perhaps adding to my network. It's a great way to meet people who might have similar career goals for peer support or others who have different interests so you can expand your own knowledge (depending on volunteer activity).

In my experience, a lot of the connection requests I receive are from people attempting to sell me a service. For example, as soon as someone asks what I do for a living or tells me about my background I know they didn't bother reading my profile which tells me the person isn't interested in networking, and the next few messages to follow if I engage, will be solicitations.

You cannot remain idle thinking that you know it all and are capable of doing it on your own. You need to work with different individual personalities and groups outside your own influence, people and organisations that will challenge your role and participation in society. Organisations and individuals that will impact your decision criteria and help you to achieve your goals. I call these (individuals & organisations) your critical path pundits. They are your enablers and it is only through networking with them that indifference, inevitability and absolute growth can come from.

As per me here the research helps you better understand their characteristics, needs, interests, and preferences, allowing you to tailor your communication or presentation to be more effective and engaging. It is a fundamental step in effective communication and marketing.

I agree! I'm more likely to respond when the message isn't “spammy” or “scammy” because LinkedIn is full of both. I’m all for meaningful interactions with professionals outside my field. I already work, collaborate, and partner with a lot of professionals in various industries. It is a great way to grow while you're growing your network.

This could be information, assistance, a solution to a problem, or any form of support that provides value to the recipient. Providing value in your interactions fosters positive relationships and productive communication.

I always encourage clients to ask permission to follow up with additional questions during an initial conversation. It will make it much easier to follow up later on - because you know they are okay with it!

Following through is the most challenging part I believe since you don't share much in common with a professional outside of your field. It can be a great mental exercise: finding relevant and relatable resources to share so you can keep the conversation going and strengthen the interdisciplinary connection. You never know where your curiosity might lead you!

What I feel is, It involves staying engaged with a person or a project, ensuring that agreements, actions, or expectations are fulfilled, and maintaining accountability. Consistent follow-up and follow-through are key to building trust and achieving successful outcomes in various professional and personal contexts.

Some of my best “professional development” came from volunteer experiences. In one city, I served on the boards of a couple social nonprofits, which helped me quickly learn about the communities my college was situated. As I continued into my second term, I served on the HR subcommittee of one board and a committee that rewrote the employee manual as part of a task force on another board. Like many college deans, I had been promoted on the basis of my academic knowledge and credentials. But I quickly learned that hiring good adjuncts, conducting thorough faculty evaluations, resolving student/faculty complaints, etc. required a detailed understanding of the faculty contract, etc. Most of that evolved through my volunteer experiences.

This concept emphasizes the importance of not only gaining theoretical understanding but also actively using that knowledge in real-world situations to achieve practical results and personal or professional growth.

The best way to expand your network authentically is to pursue events, organizations and opportunities that align with you and your values, interests and goals. This helps you find people that you’ll organically have something in common with, making it easier to establish mutually beneficial connections.

In order to broaden the circle of contacts and potential relationships. Expanding your network can provide opportunities for learning, collaboration, support, and personal or career growth. It is a valuable strategy for building a diverse and extensive set of connections.

Sometimes people may not have the capacity to meet your needs or schedule. It’s not personal! Do your best to be consistent in your efforts to see the results you desire.

Overall, networking with people outside of our fields makes us better professionals and relationship-builders. When we hear various perspectives, it challenges our biases and comfortable ways of doing things. It is essential to burst your professional bubbles once in a while and get new ideas. That's the way to progress and innovation!

Building a network to Generate Value: More than ever, Higher Education needs to leave the academic walls and connect with the world of work! organizations in the most varied areas are more agile and demand faster changes than Universities! through a qualified network we can be aware of the constant changes and demands of a real world!