Changing Networking from Handshake to Mouse Click
Newswise — We've all been there: schmoozing with strangers and eating hors d'oeuvres at some networking event of one of the many professional organizations we belong to in the hope that it will connect us with someone, who knows someone, who knows someone that we should know. The American Association of Pharmacutical Scientists (AAPS) had a better idea.
The new AAPS MemberNet is a virtual networking environment that allows members to create and build online communities of professional contacts and friends. Keeping the same usernames and passwords from an already heavily-used AAPS Member Directory, members can create an online profile and begin to build a professional network of fellow pharmaceutical scientists.
"This is the most exciting, beneficial tool for our members that I've seen since I started at AAPS more than five years ago, said Rich Lawson, AAPS Director of Information Technology. "MemberNet connects not only friends of friends; it connects the person who works in pharmacokinetics in Kansas and likes to play golf, with another AAPS member with the same background and interests. It's incredible."
The online networking craze began in 2001 when Six Degrees made its online debut and was followed by other popular sites like Friendster, MySpace and Facebook.. Linked In was one of the first networking sites for professionals. Unlike chatrooms and blogs, these sites were webpage based. The concept was simple: allow people to meet based on mutual friends and shared interests. That concept caught on.
AAPS MemberNet was created through the collaboration of AAPS' IT Department and SM Consulting (SMC), a business and information technology company. "In my work with AAPS, I've learned one of the main member benefits is the networking opportunity," said Ed Mullin, Project Manager at SMC. "We wanted a way to continue those cocktail party conversations members have at AAPS conventions 24/7 in cyberspace."
AAPS and SMC have created a phenomenon. The 13,000 AAPS scientists have the potential to meet people all around the country and the world. Graduate students can meet mentors, job seekers can build references, and industry leaders can share experiences, while ensuring privacy. Only AAPS members can access AAPS MemberNet.
AAPS President Jay Sisco, Ph.D. concluded, "Providing networking opportunities for our membership is an explicit part of the AAPS mission. MemberNet provides an exceptional tool to build and expand personal and scientific network communities for our members. I am extremely excited about MemberNet and I heartily recommend that each of our members take advantage of this fantastic benefit."
AAPS is a professional, scientific society of more than 13,000 members employed in academia, industry, government, and other research institutes worldwide. Founded in 1986, AAPS provides a dynamic international forum for the exchange of knowledge among scientists to enhance their contributions to health. AAPS offers timely scientific programs, on-going education, information resources, opportunities for networking, and professional development.
