Networking tips and building professional relationships

Mardoqueo Arteaga is an economist at KPMG. We discuss his experience transitioning from a PhD program to the real world. Mardoqueo shares his insights on the structure of a PhD program and the challenges of the job market. He discusses his motivation for pursuing a PhD and how it has helped him have a fulfilling career. Mardoqueo also emphasizes the importance of networking and building relationships in the professional world and shares some of his favorite networking tips.

Here are some key takeaways for effective networking, especially for introverts:

Prioritize quality over quantity: Focus on building genuine relationships with individuals you share common interests with instead of aiming for a vast contact list.
Embrace curiosity and active listening: Engage in conversations by learning about others’ work and passions. This fosters deeper connections and demonstrates genuine interest.
Step outside your comfort zone: Don’t hesitate to reach out to individuals you’d like to connect with, even if you lack a mutual connection or they seem to be “out of reach”. The worst outcome is a polite decline, but many people are open to networking.
Persistence is key: Networking is a gradual process. Don’t get discouraged by an immediate lack of results. Consistently put yourself out there and nurture connections to reap long-term benefits.

Mardoqueo also shares specific networking tips like attending industry events, joining online communities, and leveraging LinkedIn. He emphasizes the importance of following up after initial contact and maintaining long-term relationships.

Where to find Mardoqueo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmarteaga/
Website: https://mmarteaga.github.io/
X: https://twitter.com/themarcarteaga

Where to find Ida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ida-johnsson/
X: https://twitter.com/IdaBJohnsson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGBjKfzdALl_FQVcA4b8TA

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
00:42 Transition to the real world after a PhD
03:45 Background and road to the PhD
06:59 Experience of being an undocumented immigrant
07:57 PhD as a path to a fulfilling career outside of academia
14:04 Dissertation on perception and expectations of macroeconomic measures
17:57 The general public’s perception of central bank communications
25:57 Finding a job after the PhD
28:41 Use LinkedIn
33:57 Networking as relationship-building
39:48 Cultivating curiosity
43:31 Conclusion