Networking : a professional development strategy

Networking plays a crucial role in an academic's professional development. The reason for this is locked up in the process of taking advantage of contacts with other people for career and professional purposes. In the past the biggest misconception about networking was that it was unfair to take advantage of your personal and/or professional network to further your career. Although this has been denied by various authors, the perception remains present. The important qualities/traits needed for successful networking are confidence, initiative and comfortable interaction with other people.