Networking is often spoken about in medical training yet rarely taught. For early career doctors, building strong professional relationships can support you in the short term, such as preparing for your next job application or gaining exposure to a specialty, and also in the long term as you clarify your direction, build a reputation and access opportunities across your training journey.
Start with your existing network
Your current and past colleagues can offer practical support for your immediate goals, such as arranging to observe a procedure, gaining exposure to a particular area or reviewing your CV. At the same time, these relationships can grow into valuable long‑term connections that help you understand how others have navigated training pathways and career decisions.
Over time, these contacts can provide insight into post‑fellowship career trajectories, help you compare training programs or introduce you to subspecialty options. They may also connect you with opportunities such as research, quality improvement projects or teaching roles that support both your short‑term development and your long‑term career direction.
Starting with the people you already know lays a strong foundation, and from there you can gradually widen your network through events, structured activities and new professional connections.
Use events and structured activities to widen your network
College information sessions, hospital teaching, conferences and AMA Victoria events provide opportunities to form both short‑term learning connections and longer‑term mentoring relationships.
You can also use structured environments to create more intentional networking moments. Even simple actions such as arriving a few minutes early, staying briefly after a session or introducing yourself to a speaker can lead to meaningful conversations. These small interactions often build familiarity and make future contact feel natural.
Workshops, simulation days and skills‑based courses are particularly helpful for early‑career doctors because they place you alongside colleagues from other hospitals and training pathways. This broadens your perspective and expands your network beyond your immediate workplace.
Taking part in poster sessions, presentations or small group discussions can further increase your visibility. Sharing your interests or recent work gives others a reason to connect with you and opens the door to opportunities such as research collaboration, teaching roles or project involvement.
Volunteering at events or joining organising committees is another effective way to build your network in a purposeful but low‑pressure way. Being part of these groups helps you form relationships with senior clinicians and peers while contributing to the professional community.