CPD23 – Thing 7: Face-to-face networks and professional organisations

I know it’s just semantics but the term ‘networking’ doesn’t really sit that well with me. Thinking of it in this way – networking, building a network… – instils it with a sense of formality which fills me with trepidation when it comes to meeting other professionals face to face. I’m naturally quite shy so there’s no real surprise there, though when I manage to control the nerves I can get by – though it tends to be less ‘networking’ and more just finding a few people to chat to at a conference or event. There’s definitely some cross over between my online and face-to-face networks as I tend to see people I follow on Twitter at events I attend. Although I’ve heard many people say that knowing someone online first makes it easier to break the ice when you meet in person, I find this makes it more awkward for me and I’m still not comfortable with acknowledging that I follow someone on Twitter when I meet them in person. It’s the same self-consciousness that holds me backs online and means I often don’t engage as much as others. Perhaps once I stop over-thinking things my networks – both online and face-to-face – will build more easily!

And this, in a way, brings me to consider professional organisations, specifically CILIP. Most events I’ve attended have been organised by CILIP and I’ve recently joined the committee of my local Career Development Group division so most of my face-to-face networking is because of being involved with CILIP. Of the professional organisations Bethan mentions in the CPD23 blog post for this ‘thing’, the only one I really have any knowledge of is CILIP. As I work in a traditional academic library, it seemed to be the best one for me. However, I have only rejoined fairly recently, and there are a number of reasons for this. I took advantage of the student rate whilst studying for my MA but let my membership lapse after this, partly as I couldn’t really see any benefit of remaining a member, but mainly because I simply couldn’t justify paying the membership fee. It’s been said before I’m sure but it is a bit steep, especially as even on a relatively low salary members are paying the highest rate. So why did I rejoin? Chartership, mainly. For academic library jobs this seems to be valued and is often a requirement so it is an important step for my career. Since rejoining I’ve seen other benefits of being a CILIP member and realise that investing a bit of time by joining a committee (admittedly I’m yet to get properly involved in this) is a great way to be more professionally active and engaged.