Read more... Small business in the spotlight... Science Box How to find your perfect business idea Startup blogger: why networking is vital Sign up to become a member of the Guardian Small Business Network here for more advice, insight and best practice direct to your inbox.
As for professional development, the SMART program provided several opportunities to work on preparing applications, writing scientific and outreach literature, networking, and most vital to this particular experience, mentoring.
Networking is vital to any job search.
Linda Arra, director of career services at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., said, networking was vital in today's highly competitive job market.
Make no mistake about it: Networking is vital.
In fact, one study states that networking is vital to the success of 78% of startups.
Advances in wireless communications and networking are vital to deliver telemedicine services; however, researchers and practitioners face many great challenges, for example, the failure delivery of a service may end up with loss of human lives.
Robinett acknowledges that networking is vital, but that most people are "in the wrong room". In the case of entrepreneurs, the mistake she sees most frequently is that people approach Venture Capital firms (VCs) at a stage when they should be speaking to angel investors instead.
Even as more firms are putting formal mentorship programs in place for women and people of color, informal networking is vital.
Social networking can create a vital online community focused on academics, although there's software to help neighbors coordinate a "real life" meet-up or a beer bash.
