Professional relationships and connections are challenging because people feel as if they are prioritizing self-interest or that networking is fundamentally and strictly a social exercise. As a result, people may feel anxious, and fail to take necessary steps to build professional networks.

However, establishing a professional network is an essential competency for any scientist or translator — peer connections, support, and access to interprofessional skill sets are extremely important in generating, communicating, applying and disseminating research.

This module is intended to help students learn why networking is important to personal and career goals; reflect and assess personal and peer communication skills, strategies, and practices; and critically engage with expert approaches to integrate new competencies into professional practice. It allows trainees to get outside their comfort zones to help meet new colleagues and, more importantly, gain perspective and empathy in a virtual setting.