Ask an expert: how do I build a network at U of T?

Teresa Scannell has worked at U of T for almost 25 years. She is the career and work-life consultant at the Organizational Development and Learning Centre (ODLC).

Thinking about professional development and setting personal goals? Book a consultation with Teresa or other ODLC colleagues. Her initiatives as a consultant at ODLC includes providing individual career counselling and coaching services for staff and delivering career management workshops. Scannell shares her five quick tips to assess your skills and interests to inform your career choices. 

1. Explore the Career Community

The Networking Database has over 140 U of T staff listed who have voluntarily signed up to offer information interviews to colleagues at U of T.

2. Courage

Take a risk and ask someone you do not know or someone who is at a level you do not normally feel comfortable with for a short networking meeting.

3. Help others

Ask the people in your network how you can help them, it builds the relationship and will make you feel better too.

4. Be interested

In the person you are speaking with and in their work and work environment, even if it does not initially seem very relevant to you. It will help broaden your general knowledge of the University. 

5. Take the long view

Build your network before you need to and realize that every conversation matters because you might subsequently encounter an individual as part of a hiring committee for a job you are seeking, or they may be a future colleague or boss.