Highly Effective Networking: Dimple Doshi Of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals On 5 Strategies for Successful Networking, Both Online and Offline
An Interview With Athalia Monae
You need to see yourself through the Johari’s window — know your strengths and weaknesses. The concept of Johari’s window was developed in the 1950s and 1960s by psychologists Lift and Ingham- give it a read. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you project your authentic self while networking, which is the essence of meeting new people.
The art of networking is pivotal in today’s interconnected world. Establishing meaningful connections can accelerate career growth, foster collaborations, and create opportunities that might otherwise remain hidden. Yet, the dynamics of networking are intricate, often requiring a nuanced blend of authenticity, strategy, and adaptability. And with the digital revolution, networking has transcended beyond face-to-face interactions to virtual platforms, expanding its scope and complexity. In this series, we would like to discuss the art and science behind effective networking. We are talking to seasoned professionals, career coaches, networking experts, and thought leaders who’ve mastered both traditional and online networking techniques. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dimple Doshi.
A scientist at heart, a mom of a toddler, and a Manager, R&D Strategy and Operations, Dimple moved to United States 15 year ago. To lay strong foundation in an unknown land, she leveraged the power of networking. After graduating with MS in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from Northeastern University, for over a decade, she has worked as a research scientist for various pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. With a passion for science, she currently works at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, in the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer, as an R&D Strategy and Ops manager leading the integrated portfolio planning and analysis efforts. Mentoring has been very close to her heart, and she has always participated in mentoring programs during her career. From mentoring high school students to undergraduate students to experienced professionals she has helped many accomplish their professional goals.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about networking, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
In a distant land, there lived a young girl who used to gaze at the moon every night and wonder what lay beyond. As you may have guessed, I’m a storyteller, embrace for the ride…
As a child, I lived in a small city called Rajkot in Gujarat, India. I had big dreams, ones bigger than the city. I consistently excelled in my studies. I always wanted to serve humanity- one way to do so was help finding cures for debilitating diseases. As a teenager, I dreamt of studying and making a career in the United States. I started working towards achieving that “American Dream”. To use most of my education fund for my studies abroad, I chose to study undergrad in my hometown. I worked hard during my undergrad and secured an admit in the Masters in Biotechnology program at Northeastern University. Narrowing down on schools was where I first got the flavor of networking. I remember reaching out to folks already in the university on “Orkut”. Now, more than a decade later, I could say that I have come a long, long way. Through networking, I have secured my first on-campus job, my first graduate study lab, my first full-time job, and now my current role as well.
For a bit of background, I did my co-op at EMD Serono during my Master’s program. My co-op experience led me to Horizon Discovery, where I worked in the field of oncology for five years. I graduated in 2011, when the economy was just recovering from 2008–09 dip finding a job that sponsors your work visa as well was much harder. It has always been my dream to be working in the field of Neurodegeneration. Hence, I joined Yumanity Therapeutics where I worked on a Parkinson’s disease molecule currently in clinic. Having always dreamed of working in big pharma, I joined a company where I worked on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and the molecule is currently in the clinic as well. After over a decade of experience, I am now working for a leading biotech company, primarily involved in integrated portfolio analysis, helping to prioritize existing research and development portfolios qualitatively and quantitatively. Working for a variety of companies throughout my career has really enabled me in performing my current role well.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
It has been a privilege for me to have had many interesting life-stories over the course of my career. I would like to share with you one of these stories about how I got an interview call for my current role since we’re here today to discuss networking.
There are many reasons of what makes a company worth working for. One such being the people that you work with. A time came in my life that most of the people I worked with, moved on. I have also constantly been told that non-PhD scientists hit a glass ceiling and are unable to pivot without having to start over. After having a tough day at work, I was eating my way out in front of the television and scrolling aimlessly through various social and professional platforms- LinkedIn being one of them. I came across the current role posted by my hiring manager, who was already in my network, and I felt the role was a perfect fit for my pivot. I decided to reach out to her on LinkedIn. To my surprise, I heard back from her the very next day, and I was able to get an interview and the rest is history. My emotional scrolling would not have led me to this role if she wasn’t already in my network. It was an unexpected opportunity for me, and I am grateful that I found it. It has been a pleasure to be able to leverage my existing network into a new job opportunity.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Ethics- integrity, resilience, and people skills have been the major contributors to my success.
Finding and developing new drugs can take between 12 and 20 years. Despite billions of dollars spent and billions of hours of work, there is less than 1% chance of saving a patient’s life. High scientific integrity and high ethics will ensure efficient investment of time and money. In addition to having strong work ethics, sincerely seeing the data objectively even when it means that the projects need to be terminated for the greater good has equally been important in my career.
My resilience has also helped me. After hundreds of failed experiments, you learn to think outside the box and try to solve problems anew. We know that neurodegenerative diseases have been particularly difficult to cure, and it is in such field that we need to hold on to our faith and not lose hope.
In pharma, as in any other field, collaboration is key. Collective brainstorming and fostering a collaborative environment are essential for success. Collective thinking has always been important to me. I took advantage of every opportunity to talk about difficulties in ongoing experiments, with other colleagues, by grabbing lunch with them or organizing cross-functional brainstorming sessions. In addition to finding innovative solutions through outreach, I’ve also gained a deeper understanding of different personalities and how to balance them for maximum productivity. My communication skills have also improved as a non-native English speaker explaining work problems to colleagues. A win-win all the way, isn’t it?
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that we are all on the same page. How exactly do you define “Networking?” Is it just about meeting new people?
To understand words, I always try to break them down. Network literally means “net”, loosely meaning to spread. In this context, we are literally talking about spreading your net in your area of expertise and/ or area of interests There are 8 billion people on this planet, spread across 7 continents and 195countries. In this bigger scheme of things, networking isn’t just about meeting new people, it is a phenomenon of making yourself known to a larger group of people outside of your immediate family members and friends. Let’s dive a little more into the types of networks.
Networks (and hence networking) can be broadly classified as personal, professional, or operational. Personal networks are made up of family, distant friends, and friends like family. This can also lead to a circle of trust, which has greatly impacted my professional and personal growth. I will return to this shortly. In addition, there is a professional/operational network. Those people are mainly your immediate network within the organization. Regardless of whether you contribute as an individual or as a team member, you should have a network of colleagues who can be your thought partners. Also, I would like to mention that your network should always be growing, not shrinking. It’s also an art to keep it from shrinking. Later, I’ll elaborate. 😊
Then you have your strategic network. It may be a combination of your professional and personal networks. Have you ever met people who stayed with you long after you left a company? These people fall into this category even when you no longer work with each other they become your confidant and a safe place to show vulnerability. Such network also consists of certain people outside of your current field but in a field, you want to pivot in.
Let me briefly touch on two concepts before moving forward. The circle of trust is one of the most important concepts. Feedback sessions are not just for annual reviews or promotion talks. We are always a work in progress. In this imaginary circle, feedback is given and taken for one purpose — improvement at every level, personal and professional. It is very important to have your circle of trust at every juncture in your life. Next, the importance of never shrinking your network- it is imperative that we do not burn bridges both professionally and personally. Ofcourse, there are certain bridge that are better if burnt, I have burnt a few myself. Professionally, however, I would never recommend shrinking your network unless the person has adversely affected you.
In today’s digital age, how important is face-to-face networking, and how do you balance it with online networking?
While the pandemic has had its share of bad things, it has also had its share of good things. By valuing your family, appreciating the time we have on this earth more, embracing the uncertainty, and bringing this world even closer together as a family, pandemic has re-instilled the humanity in us. During pandemic, there was a shift in the traditional working environment to digital. Many people were able to move closer to their families while continuing to build their careers. A new normal- as they say. Nevertheless, whether the new normal, still exists or is a thing of the past is up for debate.
Because of the physical distance, online networking is sometimes a must- e.g., getting an opinion from a professor a thousand miles away, or participating in a global consortium where the partners literally are spread across the globe. Whether to network online or in-person when you do have a choice, it’s just a matter of personal preference. I can share my experience because I’m an extrovert who performs better in person. My preference is always to meet in-person if the time permits. In addition, I have seen many tangential conversations occur in-person that led to new projects initiation, or out-of-the-box solutions to problems that were previously put on hold due to a lack of potential solutions. In addition, I have observed that people I have met in-person are able to remember and recall our conversations even more. These tangential conversations make history, and often lead to new ideas and innovative solutions. This is why meeting in person is so important. Furthermore, face-to-face meetings foster better relationships and build trust. However, in the very early stages of networking and when you have a choice, follow your instinct, and see what way you are most comfortable with.
How do you maintain and nurture professional relationships over time, both in person and online, to ensure they remain fruitful and mutually beneficial?
I cannot stress how important it is to keep the network informed about your professional achievements, your professional move as well as your extracurricular activities, e.g., involvement in prestigious societies. This update could be as simple as dropping a text or updating your professional profile on sites like LinkedIn. This will ensure that your network has the latest information about you and can help to keep you connected and visible. It also shows your network that you are actively engaged with them and that you are interested in staying connected. A personal reach-out can help to create a positive impression with your network.
Secondly, whenever they reach out to you, make sure to respond to them, even if you are unable to help them with their request. Responding in a respectful way is the key to success. This shows that you value their time and care about their problem. It also shows that you are willing to go the extra mile to help them, even when can’t provide a direct solution. Maintaining the network is an art in itself.
How important is personal branding when it comes to successful networking, and how can individuals develop and maintain a strong personal brand both online and in person?
The personal branding process combines your soft skills, life principles and technical skills to define who you are. It identifies who you are “as a person” and is therefore the most important aspect of networking. Time is money. It’s very important to value your own time and the time of others. Always keep this in mind when networking. Every minute counts. In other words, the start of a conversation sets the stage. The 2-minute elevator pitch that you would use to introduce yourself and how you deliver it, will decide how the conversation is going to go. That’s where you would leave your first impression.
Earlier on in the career, when I just started networking, it was common for me to have a cheat sheet with some top technical skills that I wanted to highlight. A person’s work ethics and certain soft skills, like resilience, determination, and hard work, cannot be taught, so make sure to tie technical skills with soft skills. Your first impression always leaves a lasting impression-What will you remember about a person more, their skills or the genuine smile, their authenticity, and the basic principles of their life which they have managed to portray in the conversation? THAT is your personal brand. As you network more, you will develop a deeper understanding of how to present your brand, and every follow-up conversation with that person will strengthen it. Your personal brand will be the foundation of the relationship you build. It is important to make sure it accurately reflects you and what you could bring to the table.
What is your advice for young professionals who are just starting to build their network? How can they effectively reach out to and connect with experienced leaders in their field?
The next five years of your life plan — both personal and professional — should always be written down. It is always a good idea to visualize your goals and plans. Once you’ve developed your plan, branch out from what you’ve already got and what you need to do to fill that open space- skills and connections you need to create. That’s always a good place to start. Also remember, nothing needs to be set in stone- this could be evolving as you grow and as you interact more with people. The takeaways you get from every conversation, every meet-up, can change the course of your life. Be open to ideas and don’t be afraid to take risks. Listen to your gut and trust your instincts. Every experience is a learning opportunity that can make you grow and get closer to your goals.
Many experienced leaders are always open to having a conversation. Few of them may also be able to mentor you. A reach out on LinkedIn, or their professional email address (e.g., professors will have a link to be reached out on their affiliated university’s page) could be a good place to start. You can also meet up at professional events, such as career fairs or networking events. Just make sure you know how to pitch and brand yourself. Having a well-crafted elevator pitch is essential when introducing yourself. It also helps to be prepared with a well written resume during networking. Finally, make sure to take the time to cultivate relationships with mentors; that first interaction is just the beginning.
Do you prioritize quality or quantity of connections? How do you determine when to invest more time in a particular relationship?
Whether you need a “Quality”, or a “Quantity” of networks depends on where you are in your career and how much you have “figured out”. It is important to have “quantity” and “versatility” in network early in your career as you are trying to “figure out” your goals. Remember, personal branding and first impressions work in both directions. From the quantity of your network, focus on building the “quality” aspect of it. As I see it, it’s like a drug development process. You start out with thousands of molecules, and at every key step along the way you narrow down so that only the best molecule reaches the patient. The same is true for networking. You want to start out with many contacts, but as you progress in your career, you want to refine that list into a select group of people who are valuable to you and your purpose. This way, you create a strong network of people who are helpful to you in reaching your goals.
What are your “5 Strategies for Successful Networking, Both Online and Offline”?
- You need to see yourself through the Johari’s window — know your strengths and weaknesses. The concept of Johari’s window was developed in the 1950s and 1960s by psychologists Lift and Ingham- give it a read. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you project your authentic self while networking, which is the essence of meeting new people.
- A well-planned outreach. Make a list of your professional and personal life goals and have a carefully mapped out and narrowed down list of professional and personal contacts you are seeking for immediate or future purposes and map them down to your life plan. There is no need to set things in stone, but an outline is always useful. You are in this for long haul, being organized is the key.
- Keep a running list of the people in your network who are important to maintaining the health of a relationship. Do not let your relationships fall through the cracks. Maintain a running list of your contacts and note down the key takeaways of every conversation you’ve had with them. This will also help you figure out and evolve your circle of trust.
- Don’t underestimate the power of showing up. Many societies organize networking events and lead chapters. Make sure you participate in a few that are in line with your life goals. Set a number of events per year you would like to participate for professional growth, and make sure you stick to it.
- Make sure you prepare for your interaction. Time is everything, so value both your and their time. Have an elevator pitch ready for 2 minutes, lay down clear questions for them, and always follow-up via email. In addition, if they aren’t already in your professional networking sites like LinkedIn, it would be a good idea to add them there. Always have an updated profile on such professional networking sites.
What role does diversity and inclusion play in your networking approach? How do you ensure that your network is inclusive and represents a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds?
In the professional world, you will always come across people from diverse cultures, ethnicities, countries, and religious backgrounds. I have also been part of global teams that covered polar ends of existing time zones. My appreciation of the rich cultural heritage, knowledge of meaning of certain verbiage during communication, etc., has played a central role in the success of these global teams. Communicating with people from different cultures has helped me gain insight into this. Understanding their cultures has made me respect other cultures even more.
Building a diverse and inclusive network is very important to me. From my masters, I’ve always been grabbing coffee and lunch with students from different cultures to share the rich cultural heritage that we all possess. In professional network, I like to grab virtual and in-person coffees to understand people, their cultures and see how the work life is different in every country and how this influences their current working style. The experience has helped me not only professionally, but also emotionally and intellectually. These conversations have shaped my perspective and allowed me to have broader appreciation of humanity. It has also allowed me to build meaningful relationships with people from different backgrounds, which has proven to be invaluable. Remember, always positively evolving as an individual is of prime importance.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Originally from a small, non-metropolitan city in India, I have had a fairly successful life, self-learning and self-evolving. I always feel that if I had had a mentor earlier in my life, a circle of trust earlier in my life, it would have been so helpful. I mentor students early in their careers. It would be really nice if people could appreciate the impact of an effective mentor-mentee relationship. It would be good if a formal mentoring program could be introduced as early as high schools. It would be good to spread the importance of mentorship in developing countries through workshops. There would be many who would be willing to volunteer for improving lives of people. Mentorship can be a powerful tool for helping students maximize their potential. Providing mentorship opportunities as a part of the curriculum for students in smaller cities would be a good idea. It would also be beneficial for students to be exposed to the industrial world earlier in their lives as well as to the world of entrepreneurship. I strongly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to explore their full potential, whether they are privileged or not.
How can our readers further follow you online?
I am always open to meeting new people and helping as much as I can. Spread good and good will return. I could be reached on LinkedIn at Dimple Doshi MS, SAPM | LinkedIn
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.
Highly Effective Networking: Dimple Doshi Of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals On 5 Strategies for… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.