September 14, 2024
Topic: Strategies for Building Your Professional Contact Network
Speaker: Steven B. Wagman
Location: This month's meeting will be done virtual only, on Zoom. No in-person.
Description:
Building your professional contact network and direct networking are essential skills to practice and master regardless of your industry or level of professional experience. It begins in school and extends into the professional world.
Business networking can become one of the most important skills that you develop, since an extensive network of business and personal contacts can help you advance your career, improve your hiring practices, or help you navigate an unexpected job loss.
Session Objectives
In this program, you will learn:
- How to determine objectives in building your network
- Whom to consider and include in building your network
- How to expand your online presence with active engagement
- Tips on how to approach contacts of interest and make a connection
- How to connect to potential current and future professional opportunities
The session will begin with a welcome and updates from MCT at 10:30 am, followed by Wagman’s presentation at 10:40 am. A Q&A session with Wagman will take place at 11:40 am, leading into a wrap-up and networking protocol overview at 11:55 am. The final 30 minutes, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm, will be dedicated to remote networking, allowing participants to join breakout rooms, share their job search objectives, and assist each other.
Note on the 12-12:30 networking session: Come prepared with a very brief elevator speech as to what you do, what types of jobs you are pursuing, and your target companies. (To be fair to all, this should not exceed 3 minutes per person.) Alternatively, you can join a breakout room to talk with an MCT volunteer for a mini-orientation, or one with our speaker.
Registration for all events closes at 12 noon the day prior to the event.
Speaker Bio: Steve has been a leader of recruiting teams for new college hires, as well as on interview boards for senior-level positions (director and above). He has served as a mentor in the Health Administration (BS level) and MHA programs at Penn State University for more than two decades. Some of his former proteges are now at the executive level in healthcare organizations around the U.S., as well as in other healthcare-related companies. During his career, Steve led national organizations in healthcare information technology, revenue cycle, strategic consulting, global services, medical imaging, design, and construction services, building performance and sustainability, energy performance services, smart healthcare buildings, and program management. Steve also served as Siemens Healthcare DE&I leader for 17,000 employees in North America for three years and has been a mentor in the Siemens Leadership Development and Top Talent programs.
Mark your calendar for future events:
Wed. Oct. 9, 2024 *NEW* In-Person Social/Networking Event - Details coming soon!
Sat. Nov. 9, 2024 Speaker TBA
- General information:
- Meetings are monthly; the 2nd Saturday of the month, except for August and December.
- You do not need to have any affiliation with Penn State to attend and benefit from our meetings. We welcome everyone to campus for the events.
- Attendance is FREE thanks to our volunteers and speakers giving their time to help others.
- Registration for all events closes at 12 noon the day prior to the event.
- We do not record the meetings for viewing later, although we may take photographs or short video for promotional purposes.
- GET INVOLVED! We need volunteers to help in various roles. It's a great way to learn, pay it forward, and build your network. Email us at mycareertransitions@gmail.com