Networking is a crucial skill for career advancement. In this presentation, Dr. Shannon Jones will share insights and strategies to help you own any room and build relationships that foster professional growth and success. Discussion topics will include identifying networking opportunities, initiating conversations, working a room, following up after an interaction, and building genuine connections. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, a seasoned professional, or a new graduate, this presentation will equip you with the necessary tools to make the most out of networking opportunities, expand your professional network, and position yourself as an invaluable resource to colleagues and your library.

This webinar is brought to you through a partnership with the Early Career Librarian Initiative (ECLI) a volunteer-based group within SCC/MLA. 

Speaker Information

Shannon D. Jones EdD, MLS, MEd, AHIP, FMLA  (she/her) is the Director of Libraries for the Medical University of South Carolina Libraries in Charleston. She is also Director of Region 2 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine. A long-time volunteer of the Medical Library Association, Shannon has served the Association in many capacities, including the 2022-2023 MLA President. In 2018, Shannon co-founded the MLA Reads Virtual Book Discussion Club to provide a forum where participants can learn, discuss, and process the implications of various DEI topics in their work as information professionals and in their personal lives. Shannon is the co-editor of Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries: A Call to Action and Strategies for Success and Cultural Humility in Libraries. Her educational background includes an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Charleston Southern University, an M.Ed. in Adult Learning with a concentration in Human Resources Development from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Master of Library Science from North Carolina Central University.
 

Brian D. Leaf is the Executive Director of Region 3 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine, a federally funded health outreach program based at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, TX. His program offers continuing education and project funding to organizations across the seven-state region of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Prior to joining the South Central region, he was faculty at the Ohio State University, where he led the OSU Digital Storytelling Program, an interdisciplinary, empathy-based program that partnered with and provided workshops to academic departments, university staff, and students across campus. Brian had an eclectic career before becoming an information professional, having worked in the performing arts, retail management, serving in AmeriCorps, and instructing high school percussion ensembles. Outside of work, he is highly engaged in the community, coordinating and recruiting local businesses for an annual charity chili cook-off; occasionally playing drums for local jazz ensembles; and serving as a volunteer tour guide for an award-winning distillery. Ultimately, the core thread running through all his activities has been in building authentic relationships.

This class meets NNLM Goals to support a highly trained workforce for biomedical and health information resources and data, improve health literacy, and increase health equity through information.

By registering for this class, you are agreeing to the NNLM Code of Conduct

Please note: This class does not offer continuing education credit.