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I don't have an answer to the question, but I do have some tips! I am not particularly introverted, but I am pretty shy, which comes with some of the same challenges when it comes to networking. These are things that were helpful to me, particularly when I was more junior. https://twitter.com/eyolab/status/1292084236934053888
#1 Treat networking like any other part of the job that is intimidating or unpleasant: set goals, break it into manageable pieces, and get it done.
What does this look like in practice? First setting a goal: “At this conference, I will have conversations with 3 senior PIs in my field that are worth sending a follow-up email”.
Then planning how to do it-identify who you wanted to talk to and figure out how. Maybe email them and set up a time for coffee or invite them to my poster, maybe plan to approach them and chat after their talk.
When I was at the conference, the only hard social thing I *had* to do was follow through with the goals I set. As long as I was making progress towards those goals, I wouldn’t beat myself up for skipping a group meal for some quiet time.
#2 Focus on non “social” mechanisms of building your network. You don’t have to network by being a social butterfly at conferences. There are ways to get your name out there that don’t involve being charming over beer. There are two that have worked for me.
One is to propose symposia and panels for conferences. Even if the panel isn’t accepted, this forces you to contact fancy people in your field, and establishes you as a leader on this particular topic.
If your symposium is accepted, you’ll have a chance to introduce yourself to the speakers you don’t already know, and those speakers will also get the chance to hear your talk.
If you’re feeling really bold, you can organize a dinner for the panel after the session. (I am not bold, I have never done this)
The other is to volunteer to review papers. Email a member of the editorial board of your favorite journal, introduce yourself and your expertise, and say you’d like to review papers. You’re now on their radar as an expert in a set of topics.
#3 Focus laterally. “Networking” often brings to mind trying to get the bigshots to notice you, but my most valuable interactions by far have been with the network of friends and colleagues I’ve made who share my career stage.
When I was a grad student and postdoc, I focused most of my social energy on getting to know my peers. It’s far less stressful, and just as important to your career.
The other benefit of this is that your peers can then give you access to their network. Asking a friend to introduce you to their mentor is a lower stakes way to get to know a big name person than sending a cold email.
#4 When I was in Kindergarten, I was really afraid I would have no friends. My mom told me to go to the other kids and say "my name is Abby, would you like to be friends". I proceeded to do this to every child in my kindergarten class.
TBH, this is still sort of the strategy I rely on in a pinch. It's awkward as hell, but gets the job done
