How do I network with staff at my practicum site?

Your practicum site is full of people doing the kind of public health work you might want to do, and they're only a hallway or a message away. Networking there doesn't mean working the room. It means getting to know people one conversation at a time.

Start with curiosity

Ask colleagues outside your immediate team for 15 or 20 minutes to hear about their work. A simple request works: "I'm the MPH practicum student with the epidemiology team, and I'd love to learn how your program's grants work. Could I buy you a coffee or grab 15 minutes on your calendar?" Let your preceptor know you're doing this. Many will suggest people worth meeting and introduce you.

Ask questions people enjoy answering

• How did you get into this role?
• What does a typical week actually involve?
• What skills do you wish new hires had?
• Who else should I talk to?

The last question tends to open the most doors.

Give something back

As a student you can still offer value: pass along a relevant article, share a finding from your project, or help with a small task during a busy week. Show up to all-staff meetings, trainings, and team lunches. Being seen regularly does a lot of the work for you.

Follow up

Send a short thank-you note after each conversation, mentioning one thing you learned. Before your practicum ends, connect on a professional networking site with a personalized message, and check in occasionally with updates.

If networking makes you anxious, smaller one-on-one conversations are usually easier than big events. Networking anxiety during your practicum has more low-pressure approaches. Remote placements need more deliberate effort, covered in building relationships through a screen.