The field of ophthalmology is full of exceptional individuals with diverse interests and skills. Medical students, residents, and fellows train hard to become the best professional versions of themselves, and thankfully, this is a shared pursuit. Many ophthalmologists have persevered through adversity to become champions in their areas of expertise and are willing to guide others on the journey behind them. As most ophthalmologists in training will find, our networks are our strongest career currency, and they should be utilized appropriately.
This article reviews a few key takeaways for building your network in ophthalmology.
TIPS FOR NETWORKING
1. Build Your Social Media Accounts
Your online presence—whether on LinkedIn, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), etc.—can act as a virtual passport, unlocking doors that you may not have known existed. Being active on these platforms can help you fulfill several objectives, including (1) connecting you with potential mentors and (2) disseminating your work. If you use these platforms, you should aim to keep your profiles well maintained and updated, because first impressions matter. An excellent way to engage is to start following ophthalmologists you know or want to get to know; following their work may inspire you to add something to your practice or spark a conversation. Also, many ophthalmologists post about attending upcoming conferences. If an ophthalmologist that you’d like to meet plans to attend a meeting you’ll be attending, consider messaging them on social media to see if they’re open to connecting on site.
2. Communicate With People During Conferences
When perusing a meeting program, pay attention to the speakers. If you identify one that you’d like to meet, email them prior to the meeting to arrange a time to connect. It is tough to network at big conferences, especially as a first timer, so some prep work can help by finding out about relevant people in fields of interest. In general, ophthalmologists have a more relaxed schedule at meetings versus when they’re at home working, so it may be easier to catch up with them while there. When you reach out, keep your cold email brief and targeted to the specific recipient, and consider including your resume as well.
3. Attend YoungMD Connect Mentoring Sessions and Annual Meetings
YoungMD Connect (YMDC) brings networking to the comforts of one’s own home, broadening access to ophthalmology and the ophthalmic community. YMDC events allow members to network and be exposed to other mentees and mentors, serving as an ideal introductory step after which follow up on email or social media is more natural. Participating in a YMDC mentoring session and taking the opportunity to ask thoughtful and pertinent questions can help demonstrate your enthusiasm and interest in the participating mentor. This active participation is much more valuable and memorable than passive attendance.
4. Collaborate in Research or Other Team-Based Activities
You may be involved in research, especially for retrospective observational studies, wherein the more patients included in the analysis, the better. Collaborating with other institutions across the country or even internationally can help you to cultivate long-lasting friendships.
5. Ask Your Mentors for Introductions
Ophthalmology is a small community, and your mentors can likely help you with introductions. Say you want to network with someone on the West Coast but are based in New York; why not ask your mentor if they know someone in your area of interest? You will be surprised by how far this approach can get you, and an introduction will be even more powerful coming from an established member of the field.
CONCLUSION
It may seem difficult to start developing a network in ophthalmology. However, as with everything in life, once you take the plunge, you will be amazed by how far you can go and by how willing others are to help you along the way.
