This month’s ASDA Wellness Challenge is to build your network!
Networking is an important part of personal and professional/occupational well being and good habits. Sign up for the challenge on ASDA’s Facebook page (and post your start and completion dates) or visit https://www.asdanet.org/index/dental-student-resources/health-and-wellness/wellness-challenges to learn more about ASDA’s 5 dimensions of wellness and this month’s challenge. Occupational wellness is about finding richness and contentment in your chosen career. But it’s more than just “liking your job.” It involves a healthy mix of work-life balance, enthusiasm for lifelong learning and managing professional relationships. It’s important to start making connections while you’re in dental school (or earlier, if you’re still a predental). Meeting faculty members, practicing dentists in your area and more-senior dental students will help you start building your professional community. While the idea of approaching a stranger may seem intimidating, remember that the professionals around you want you to succeed and are often willing to help you do that. You never know when someone you meet at a conference or networking event this year will help you get your foot in the door for your dream job five years down the road. Start small: attend a professional networking event and approach someone you don’t know. Choose an event at your school or with an association you’re interested in (e.g. dental specialty or state dental association), and introduce yourself to at least one person who’s more senior than you. Share your career aspirations, or ask them for some advice. You’ll be taking the first step toward establishing professional relationships, the kind that will help you find satisfaction in your chosen occupation. For networking help, read these stories from Mouthing Off: • Top 5 networking tips for introverts • Never miss a networking opportunity • Networking as a predental student Next steps: • RSVP to our challenge event on Facebook. • Attend a dentistry-related event and approach someone more senior than you. Introduce yourself, share a career goal you have or ask them their favorite thing about dentistry. Share your experiences on social media with #BeWellASDA. Lastly, check out some local networking opportunities:
Happy networking! ~UNE ASDA
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