Building Your Professional Network as a Medical Intern or Postgraduate: Why It Matters

 

 

There’s one thing that we are not taught in med school yet unknowingly do round-the-clock NETWORKING. Healthcare is a people-centric field—run and managed by the people, for the people. In the process, the one thing we learn is building connections, relationships, and contacts. The networking in med school goes unnoticed and often fails to follow into your professional careers. In fact, how many have truly been active in their alumni, with the university board members and peers from med school? The numbers run low. Highlighting these pain points, today we discuss two critical tools—networking as a medical intern and networking as a medical postgraduate, to help you shape your professional journey right from the early days. 

 

 

Medical Student Networking—How, When, and Where?

Networking in med school, both in graduation and post-graduation, is 100% beneficial. But you must know the best ways to do it, or else you may end up wasting time and headspace on connections that meet dead ends. 

 

Here are 5 practical ways to network as an intern in the healthcare industry:

 

Local Medical Camps and Health Drives:

Start by joining health camps organized by local hospitals, NGOs, or community health centers. Such institutions often need volunteers for tasks like patient education, basic screenings, and follow-ups. 

Approach your college or local public health office to learn about upcoming events. These events are fantastic opportunities to meet healthcare professionals, gain hands-on experience, and build connections with colleagues and mentors.

These experiences improve your practical skills whilst allowing you to interact directly with healthcare professionals who could become mentors or referees for future job applications.

 

Case Study Competitions:

Networking as a medical intern hop on to case study competitions or health innovation challenges hosted by medical schools, associations, or online platforms. These competitions allow you to present your ideas, collaborate with peers, and receive feedback from experienced professionals, enhancing your network and exposure.

Look out for case study competitions hosted by medical schools, associations, or platforms like Medscape. Collaborate with a team of peers to research and present innovative solutions to real-world healthcare problems. Participating in these challenges sharpens your analytical skills, exposes you to different perspectives, and lets you connect with judges and organizers.

 

Workshops on Soft Skills:

Many medical colleges and professional organizations run workshops on communication, leadership, and teamwork, essential skills for international recruiters—critical to networking as a medical intern. 

Look for such programs on your college notice board, International websites such as BMJ Careers India, or Indian platforms such as ANASTOMOS, the In-and-around section. Use these events to build soft skills, network with professionals who value versatile healthcare professionals, and make peers in the industry.

Attend workshops that focus on soft skills such as EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, teamwork, leadership, and empathy. In case you are interested in learning more, we have an upcoming workshop on a similar topic. Hop on the ANASTOMOS page to know the exact dates.  

Workshops are often organized by medical colleges, hospitals, or professional organizations and can help you develop essential skills while meeting like-minded professionals.

 

Alumni Meetups:

Engage with alumni from your institution through alumni meetups, social events, or online groups. Alumni can offer valuable career advice, mentorship, and networking opportunities, helping you navigate your professional journey.

Join alumni associations, attend meetups, or connect through social media groups. Use these platforms to learn about career paths, gain referrals, and find mentors. 

Alumni working abroad can provide insights into the nuances of international healthcare systems and recruitment processes.

 

Shadowing Specialists:

Reach out to specialists in your hospital or through connections. Request them to observe their work for a day or more. On that note, ANASTOMOS offers ‘A Day in the Life of a Doctor’ and “Hospital Tour’ for medical aspirants, interns, and others to help you understand the nitty-gritty of the industry. Learn more HERE. 

Focus on specialists with more clinical exposure or administrative abilities depending on your career preferences. This shadowing experience will give you a clearer understanding of the role and allow you to build trust with senior professionals who can vouch for your abilities when applying to global positions.

Such practical strategies will enhance your professional profile and make you stand out to international recruiters. Start implementing them today to gain the experience and network that will take your healthcare career to the next level.

 

 

Here are 5 practical ways to network as a postgraduate student in the healthcare industry:

 

Interdisciplinary Conferences:

Networking as a medical postgraduate begins by attending interdisciplinary conferences that focus on healthcare topics relevant to multiple fields. Why it works—India hosts numerous conferences blending medicine, technology, and public health (e.g., MedTech India or BioAsia). These attract experts from diverse fields like AI, engineering, and clinical sciences.

Feel free to start by going through the In-and-Around section on ANASTOMOS for such events. Look for conferences in your region or join virtually if travel is a limitation. Use platforms like Eventbrite or LinkedIn to find events. Actively participate in Q&A sessions and connect with speakers afterward.

Follow up on social media handles to connect with other attendees, mentioning the specific session or discussion you appreciated.

 

Join Specialized Societies:

Become a member of specialized societies or associations related to your field. These organizations often host exclusive events, webinars, and workshops, providing a platform to meet influential figures and stay updated on industry trends.

Societies like the Indian Medical Association (IMA) or specialty-specific ones (e.g., Association of Surgeons of India), IDA (Indian Dental Association), etc. offer exclusive events and access to industry leaders.

For networking as a medical postgraduate visit the official websites of these organizations to sign up or go through the In-and-Around section on ANASTOMOS. Many offer discounted student or trainee memberships.

Volunteer for event organizations or committees within these societies to gain more visibility and build relationships with senior members.

 

Online Courses and Certifications:

Enroll in online courses or certifications that align with your specialty. Participate actively in course forums, group projects, and virtual meetups to connect with peers, instructors, and experts, building a strong professional network.

International employers highly value Indian healthcare professionals with certifications in telemedicine, hospital management, or global healthcare protocols.

Platforms like Coursera, Medvarsity, and UpGrad offer industry-relevant courses. Look for internationally recognized certifications such as ACLS, BLS, or Telemedicine Practitioner Course. For more personalized courses, feel free to check out the Learning and Development section of ANASTOMOS. Many one-on-one personal mentors there specialize in building a career as a professional in healthcare. 

Engage in discussion forums, share your learnings on LinkedIn, and collaborate on group projects with fellow learners to build meaningful connections.

 

Guest Lecturing:

Networking as a medical postgraduate can also open earning opportunities. Here's how:

Offer to give guest lectures or presentations at local colleges, hospitals, or professional events. Sharing your knowledge and experiences can enhance your visibility and credibility, attracting opportunities for collaboration and mentorship.

Colleges, hospitals, and training institutes in India often invite professionals for guest lectures. It’s a great way to showcase your expertise and meet potential collaborators.

Reach out to faculty at medical colleges, hospital training heads, or conference organizers, offering to speak on a niche topic within your field.

Create a presentation that includes practical insights and case studies. Share the slides or recordings on social media to reach a larger audience.

 

Research Collaborations:

Reach out to peers, seniors, and professionals to collaborate on research projects. Co-authoring papers, presenting findings at conferences, and publishing research together can strengthen your professional ties and showcase your expertise.

Research partnerships help you co-author papers and gain credibility, especially when published in journals recognized by the Medical Council of India or international bodies.

Approach peers and professors during your internship or postgraduate studies. Use platforms like ResearchGate or PubMed to find collaborators.

Focus on topics with practical applications in India, such as public health challenges or affordable healthcare solutions, to attract interest from local and global researchers.

 

 

ANASTOMOS Leading the Way in Networking  for Medical Interns and Postgraduate Students

Networking in med school is not a one-time job. It requires time and investment. Go slow and steady during your student days, and build the foundation for better networking opportunities later. Wouldn’t it be great if you had one platform to manage and track your medical student networking activities from your student days into professional life?

 

Though that sounds utopian, it isn’t.

ANASTOMOS is India’s first healthcare providers’ network that offers learning, upskilling, and professional networking opportunities through every stage of your healthcare journey. Learn more by signing up with us for FREE.