By Blakely Tresca

We often tell young chemists that building a professional network will be vital to a successful career. This is great advice whether you are planning to head down an academic, government, or industry path. Networking today is more than social gatherings or professional conferences. Online social networks have given everyone a platform to speak their mind and find their community. But how do you filter all the noise on the internet to find a professional community that will help your career (rather than add to the distractions)? LinkedIn is an excellent option whether you are looking to start your network or stay connected with network you already have. And joining groups you are already involved with is an easy place to start, both KACS local section https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12584628/ and the national ACS https://www.linkedin.com/groups/51209/ have their own groups. Here you will find the latest news and upcoming events. You can also post your own updates, ask questions, or find other professionals in the area. ACS members also have access to LinkedIn Learning with a large library of skills and professional development courses.

Even if you are not actively looking to grow your network, there are benefits to creating a LinkedIn profile. Most college students are introduced to LinkedIn as a tool to find internship opportunities and jumpstart their careers. This is a great opportunity to promote training positions and recruit new talent for your business. College students often feel isolated from the professional world while in school. LinkedIn is one place to offer mentorship for young chemists in the area.

Check it out and you may be surprised at what you will find.