By Jennifer Anne Hohman
The career-boosting magic of networking can occur in person—at events, conferences, work—or online via LinkedIn, professional groups, and social media. So how can you develop and nurture relationships that will help you find your next job and feel connected to colleagues in an evolving and growing profession? There are several strategies that can help you develop a healthy and deep network.
Begin Where You Are: Your Workplace
Your current workplace is a great place to begin. It is an abundant networking environment filled with colleagues who can appreciate your professionalism, dedication, and other personal qualities firsthand. To enhance your visibility and the quality of your workplace network, consider participating in leadership committees and other groups to connect with peers and hiring decision makers. Participating in events that highlight your employer’s role in the community—such as providing screenings and health education at community health fairs, or giving talks on health and prevention—will also help you meet new people and boost your visibility.
Physician associates have an important role to play in supporting and encouraging one another, but building genuine relationships with physicians, nurses, and managers will also enrich your network and make your work more personally rewarding. In large institutions, relationships with any peer can open doors for you through introductions and face-to-face interactions. As I’ve seen time and again with clients, these relationships can make all the difference when you look for a new position.
If you are employed at a large institution, keep in mind that you may have the opportunity to network internally and apply for positions before they are open to external candidates. The inherent connections that come with being a current employee are valuable indeed.
PA Events and Organizations are Vital for Your Network
Beyond your current position, there is a galaxy of networking opportunities via professional organizations and events. Consider the networking opportunities available at the AAPA Annual Conference, which include cutting-edge educational activities, social events, and specialty org and alumni group meet ups. All of these are opportunities to find valuable new contacts, potential mentors, and friends.
State and regional PA organizations are excellent options for ongoing networking with your local PA community. Visit their websites to learn about the benefits of membership and find upcoming events. PA specialty organizations are another source of networking opportunities, with an emphasis on professional development in a specific practice area. Participation in these organizations gives you a pathway to grow clinically and find like-minded peers in your particular practice area. Networking with speakers and recruiters at PA organization events is another benefit of membership.
Making the Most of LinkedIn
I recommend optimizing your LinkedIn profile with a regular refresh to be sure it offers a relevant version of your professional story. It should accurately reflect your work history, any volunteer activities, and a summary that highlights your evolving interests. A recent, professional photo that captures your personality and a banner that reflects your community are networking enhancements as well. Once you’ve got these in place, you are ready to explore networking opportunities online.
LinkedIn allows you to network at the pace and scale you wish. There, you can connect with peers one on one, as well as through professional interest groups where you can engage in discussions, meet new people, and nurture your network. As a great benefit to job seekers, LinkedIn also allows you to follow and interact with recruiters, practice managers, and fellow clinicians. Consider researching people in these roles in your location and specialty of interest, then sending a personalized connection request with a short message expressing interest in their work/organization or asking for advice. Keep your message brief and professional, and after introducing yourself and your interest in their work ask questions that will help you learn what you are most curious about (such as how they broke into their specialty, or its pros and cons). A script might run as follows:
Hi [PA Name],
I’m a [practicing PA/recent PA graduate/current PA student] with a strong interest in (specialty) and I’ve been inspired by your work in the field. I’d be grateful for the opportunity to learn more about your career path and any advice you might have for someone hoping to enter this specialty. If you’d be open to a brief call, LinkedIn conversation, or coffee chat, I’d greatly appreciate your time and insights.
Connecting with PAs in a Specialty of Interest
Let’s say you’re aiming for a dermatology position. Reaching out to practicing PAs in that setting and expressing interest in learning more about their role can provide valuable insight and opportunities. Consider asking your colleagues—or for more recent graduates, PA school faculty or preceptors—if they can introduce you to someone in your desired field, whether in person or through email/LinkedIn. Interacting with peers in a specific field by joining its specialty organization is a powerful way to expand your network to include new and exciting areas of interest. I would also suggest reading all you can about the roles of PAs in the specialty, starting with AAPA’s Areas of Practice Guide.
You can also connect with mentors in your field of interest through AAPA’s membership directory and AAPA’s Mentor Match program, which is an amazing way to either give or receive the gift of peer-to-peer learning, support, and guidance. As you build your connections, you can request to shadow in your desired setting to gain hands-on exposure and build relationships.
Sparking New Connections through Volunteering
Have you considered volunteering for local health events such as health fairs, free clinics, sports events? Or in a more sustained way to provide care for the underserved, whether in your community or abroad? Perhaps you have a special passion for a particular health issue. Finding a volunteer opportunity that aligns with that passion allows you not only to give back in a personally meaningful way, but also to be seen at your most inspired and motivated as you make new connections.
Networking as PA Community Building and Mutual Benefit
Maintaining your network not only keeps your career opportunities limber and fresh, but it also offers a way for PAs to be there for one another and offer mutual support, understanding, and camaraderie. Networking strengthens the profession though strong relationships that open the door to new opportunities and uplift the profession as a whole.
Each time you offer or receive a new introduction, seek or provide mentorship, participate in PA organizations and educational activities, or share the wisdom of your experience gained travelling a unique PA career path, you are enhancing the profession and generating new opportunities for yourself and other PAs!
Jennifer Anne Hohman is the founder of PA Career Coach, a service designed to help PAs create sustainable and rewarding careers. Contact her at [email protected] for individual career and contract support.