Grad student folks: a word about networking. It's a muscle. You need to condition it. A quick thread of thoughts about one way to approach it:

1. Remember your personhood that you are a scholar-in-training. It is important to realize this as you develop your network OUTSIDE OF YOUR PROGRAM. Real shit. You gotta have a lil bit of everybody in your network to get somewhere.

2. Not having a clear intention or purpose for approaching said someone is a shaky start. "I like your work" is okay but "I really appreciate how you talk about x in your work about y. Can I talk to you about how to do ______?"

3. If someone says no, respect that. It's probably not personal, they just don't have the bandwidth at the moment. Thank them for their time. Don't burn a bridge that is only on its studs.

4. Network with other grad students. They will save your ass in more ways than one. When I couldn't get to my advisor or I was down in the valley and not ready to face my committee, I called upon my grad student network. I called my squad the Legion of Doom LMAO

5. Networking is a two way street. Don't be out here just tryna take. What you bringing to the table?

6. Finally, refresh and revisit who is in your network and adjust accordingly. Your needs and goals as a scholar will change. This needs to be reflected in your network as well. Eaux. One more thing. REACH BACK AND HELP OUT. You didn't get nowhere in the academy by your damn self