ASDA Wellness Challenge

​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:

• http://www.portlandgreendrinks.com - Portland Greendrinks is part of the international Greendrinks network — an informal, volunteer-managed social networking group built around a common interest in the natural environment. It occurs on the second Tuesday of every month, starting at 5:30 pm. The goal of Greendrinks is pretty simple: good times shared among people working in, or interested in, environmental and sustainability issues.
• http://www.nonprofitmaine.org/about-us/our-mission-vision/ - The Maine Association of Nonprofits provides resources and education for Maine Non-Profits. Members include non profits from many sectors such as Community Dental, Oasis Free Clinics, the Maine Academy of Pediatrics, and the Maine Public Health Association. The mission of the MANP is to enrich the quality of community and personal life in Maine by strengthening the leadership, voice, and organizational effectiveness of our state’s nonprofits… helping non profits help maine.
• https://www.mainewomensnetwork.com - The Maine Women's Network is a statewide nonprofit organization with multiple chapters, including Androscoggin, Midcoast, and Portland that strives to increase women's professional growth and leadership skills through networking and education. Through monthly chapter meetings, statewide events and other programming, Maine Women's Network represents and supports hundreds of women in business across the state.
• http://www.propelportland.org - PROPEL is changing the rules for young people in Maine by helping them connect both on and offline. Tailored programming, strategic partners, and an expansive network defines PROPEL. In partnership with the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, PROPEL strives to enrich Maine’s economy by developing an environment and culture where young professionals can thrive in Maine’s growing business community. Networking opportunities allow young people to build high quality business and social networks quickly and efficiently in Maine. They also help young employees grow in their careers through peer-to-peer feedback, real world experiential learning, community engagement and formal training programs in partnership with local education leaders.
• http://mainenetworkinggroup.com - Meeting Every 1st Wednesday of the Month @ 275 Read St, Portland, ME 04103
• http://www.portlandregion.com - Your local Chamber of Commerce
• https://portlandme.score.org - SCORE, the nation's largest volunteer business mentoring service, is a nonprofit association dedicated to providing mentoring to individuals in business, or to those thinking about starting a business. Portland Score is a network of over 60 volunteer professionals who will listen to your business challenges, analyze opportunities and offer business coaching, for free! Conveniently located in downtown Portland, SCORE offers free, confidential small business mentorship and workshops. If you are interested in meeting with a Certified Mentor, request a meeting online or call 207-772-1147 or check out their regularly updated workshop calendar.

Happy networking!
~UNE ASDA