Slack is a great tool, I wrote about how you can use it in my recent article. Today, I want to delve into how you can use Slack to discover events that can boost your career and expand your professional network. In this article I am describing how to start from scratch, meaning not being a member of any channel. This is exactly how I started, and after using it for around two years, I participated in one partially and four fully covered workshops and conferences that I found via Slack, which makes me living proof that this approach works!
What is Slack?
Slack is a widely used messaging and collaboration platform employed by teams and organizations to enhance communication, share files, and facilitate efficient teamwork. It also allows users to create channels e.g. for specific projects or topics. It is mostly known for being used by companies for internal communication, but what many people don’t know, lots and lots of Slack channels simply gather people interested in the same topics. And these are the channels that you need to find and join.
How to Find a Slack Channel If You Don’t Know Any?
Finding the first Slack channel to join may seem daunting, but it is very easy. Suppose you’re interested in bioinformatics. Search “bioinformatics slack channel” in Google and voila, you found your first Slack channel – congratulations!
It may not be a perfect match, but remember, this is just your starting point. Ensure it’s vaguely related to your area of interest. Don’t look for “pangenomics of Lepidoptera” channel, because you most likely will find nothing, but searching a broader term like “bioinformatics” should yield plenty of results.
First Steps After Joining a Slack Channel
Browse the Channels
On the left-hand side of your Slack interface, you’ll see numerous channels. Click the “Browse all channels” tab to explore them all, but the most popular ones are usually already displayed. Who knows, maybe the first channel that you join will already turn out to be a great match, where you can find plenty of people interested in the same stuff.
Introduce Yourself
Introduce yourself in the designated channel and make sure to add at least one link to your social media account. I like to add LinkedIn because that’s what I mostly use. Here’s an example of how I would introduce myself:
“Hi! I’m Anna, a student of Master of Bioinformatics at KU Leuven. I’m passionate about all things bioinformatics, especially its application in astrobiology. You can find my LinkedIn profile here.”
Feel free to use this as an inspiration but remember to customize it with your details. We don’t want an unexpected surge in astrobioinformaticians, a rather niche field so far! 😀
Sometimes, an introduction template is provided, so try to stick to it in those cases.
Connect with Others
While Google can help you find the first few channels, the most effective way to discover channels aligned with your interests is by networking. It may require some time and effort, but the results are worth it.
Whenever a new member joins the channel and shares their LinkedIn profile, send them an invitation and inquire: “Hey! I found you on the XYZ channel, do you know of any similar ones?” Additionally, if their interests align with yours, ask for more information. This method allowed me to expand from one channel to over 20. It’s time-consuming, but after a point, you’ll have all the channels you need. Plus, you’ll also see your LinkedIn connections grow. In another post, I talk about how I grew from a handful to 500+ connections on LinkedIn using this approach.
Check the Channels Regularly
You’re all set! Now, your only task is to regularly check the channels (once a week is enough). Most events are posted on a designated channel, but some are also mentioned in the general channel, so check that one as well.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and WhatsApp, where I share upcoming science events that I’m aware of. Good luck searching and let me know in the comments if you know any other great platforms for finding workshops and conferences.
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Until next time,
A.
