Warming Up Your Professional Connections as the Year Ends
As the year winds down, it's the perfect time to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with your professional network.

Warming Up Your Professional Connections as the Year Ends

Summary: As the year winds down, it's the perfect time to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with your professional network. For control system engineers, this isn’t just about revisiting old contacts – it’s about strengthening relationships that can bring new opportunities, ideas, and collaborations in the coming year. Whether you’ve been in the industry for years or are just starting your career, nurturing these connections will position you for success in the months ahead.

As the holiday season approaches and we look toward the end of the year, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of finishing projects, wrapping up last-minute tasks, and making sure everything is in place before the new year starts. But it’s also a prime time to take a step back and think about your professional connections. For control system engineers, networking is just as vital as technical expertise. After all, engineering projects often require collaboration, innovation, and a wide range of skills, and your connections might be the key to unlocking these resources.

“The richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work.” – Robert Kiyosaki

Meet Tom: Out of the Loop

Let’s consider the story of Tom, a control system engineer consulting for a variety of companies in industrial automation. Tom had been heads down on several intricate projects throughout the year, focusing on PLC programming and fine-tuning control loops and the like. He was so immersed in his work that he hadn’t had much time to catch up with colleagues or even many recent clients. As the year was winding down, he realized that now was the perfect moment to re-engage. He reached out to an old colleague from a previous project, Sarah, who had worked on a similar control system upgrade. Sarah had recently moved to a new company, and after a brief chat, they found that her company was looking for consulting expertise on a new control systems design project.

A simple check-in had led to a potential consulting opportunity, and this wasn’t the first time Tom had experienced the power of keeping in touch. Whether through a friendly email, a LinkedIn message, or an impromptu coffee chat, professional connections are more than just names on a list – they’re valuable bridges to new knowledge, projects, and collaborations.

Tips to Warm Up Your Professional Connections:

  1. Reach Out Personally: A short, personalized message can go a long way. Try reaching out to former colleagues, clients, or mentors with a simple “how are you” or “let’s catch up” message. Sharing a quick update about your work can also open up a natural opportunity to ask how their year has been and discuss any potential future projects.
  2. Engage on Social Media: LinkedIn and other professional platforms are excellent ways to stay in touch. Share an insightful post, comment on others’ achievements, or start a discussion on a topic relevant to control system engineering, like automation trends or the future of PLC systems. By staying active online, you keep yourself visible while adding value to others’ feeds.
  3. Attend Industry Events (Virtually or In-Person): The end of the year often brings industry events, webinars, or meetups. Participating in these is a fantastic way to reconnect and build relationships. Even in a virtual environment, you can still engage by asking questions, participating in discussions, or following up with speakers and attendees after the event.
  4. Send a Holiday Card or Note: Don’t underestimate the power of a physical or digital holiday card. A warm message acknowledging the year’s end and expressing gratitude can make a meaningful impact. Whether you send it to clients, colleagues, or professional acquaintances, a thoughtful note can leave a lasting impression.

As control system engineers, the work often involves solving complex problems and implementing technical solutions, but these projects can’t be done in isolation. They require teamwork, collaboration, and, more often than not, a network of professionals with different skills and expertise. Now is the time to invest in those relationships, build new connections, and revisit old ones. By nurturing your professional network, you’re not only setting yourself up for new opportunities but also cultivating an environment where growth, innovation, and success can thrive in the years to come.

Reader’s Question: How do you plan to reconnect with your professional network this holiday season? Share your thoughts and strategies below!

Suggested Hashtags for Sharing: #ControlSystems #NetworkingForEngineers #ProfessionalGrowth #EngineeringCommunity #PLC #Automation #HolidayNetworking #EngineeringConnections #IndustrialAutomation

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Marc LeVine is a Syracuse (NY) University graduate with a degree in Industrial Psychology; Marc is currently a Talent Acquisitions Manager at Thermo Systems. He received the Excellence in Talent Acquisitions Award from HR Awards in 2021.

Marc LeVine

Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ; Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ; InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge, NJ and Plainsboro, NJ; and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ; a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune, and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey-based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm, for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his Freehold Borough, NJ hometown.

Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ; Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ; InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge, NJ and Plainsboro, NJ; and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ; a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune, and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey-based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm, for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his Freehold Borough, NJ hometown.

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Patrick Hennessy

Ghostwriter for Senior Mental Health Founders. Prior Insurance Fraud Investigator. I write about Content Creation and Living a Strength-Driven Lifestyle.

2w

I've not been a huge fan of Kiyosaki over the years but I do like the quote you've used. My style of engagement here in The Link has been more relationship driven rather than revenue driven. I'm no Saint...But I Enjoy It That Way!

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