Network or not work: That's the message from career recruiters and experts who help scientists get well-paying jobs. "Networking is an art, not a science," says Stephen Rosen, a New York City-based career consultant who specializes in prodding heavily credentialed people to network. "Scientists as a whole tend to be more comfortable with ideas and theories than they are with people."
The Basics Can Be Learned
- Start close to home. Practice on friends and family to overcome awkwardness. Pittsburgh-based career psychologist Lathe Haynes suggests a surprising first point of contact: "Talking frankly to the boss can be the best thing to do, especially if you're planning to move within the organization."
- Develop a script. Nail down your approach to the people you need to enlist in your career development. Plan on talking to them about their work or jobs. "Scientists are really pushovers because they all want to talk...
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