Have you ever thought about volunteering to serve on a judging panel? In addition to great community service work, you may find it to be a great networking opportunity. I was reminded of that just yesterday.

I had the privilege of serving on the judging panel at the Sikorsky STEM Challenge as part of the Student Innovation Expo in Connecticut. Over 2,000 middle school and high school students were in attendance. The energy, creativity and shear brain power was inspiring. I was standing among the workforce of tomorrow.

STEM is an acronym for the fields of study in the categories of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.For the past twenty years, the USA has fallen critically behind in the STEM disciplines. We are at risk of not having the next generation of the best talent in these core fields within our country. The best jobs will have to be filled by others from outside of this country. It’s a real work force issue for the near future. Companies like Sikorsky and its mother company UTC are working hard to “make engineering cool again” and fostering curiosity and interest among young people. Yesterday’s event was one such example of the work that is being done to engage young people in STEM careers.

My networking friend, Dr. Yvonne A. Akpalu, is the founder and CEO of Why Science, a Connecticut based education technology company providing solutions to empower teachers to more fully engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics learning.

• Watch the video trailer for the film she created called Ease the Quiet Storm. 

How did I get the opportunity to participate on this judging panel?

I’m not an engineer, nor am I a technical person.  I am the daughter of an electrical engineer and the sister of a mechanical engineer.  I know how differently we think!

I was invited to be on this judging panel by my client and friend Bill Harris Jr., of Sikorsky Aircraft. I met Bill at the national SBIR conference three years ago during a speed networking exercise. Bill later introduced me to the Training Manager for his Engineering Department. I recently taught a two-day presentation skills workshop for technical professionals at his company.

So when Bill invited me to be on the judging panel, I said yes. I was happy to lend my expertise in presentation and communication skills with the students. I was also happy for this opportunity to make an investment in my relationships with Bill.

To my delight one of the other judge panelists was Dr. Mun Young Choi, dean of the school of engineering at University of Connecticut. When I was researching data on technical presentation skills for my Sikorsky workshop, Dean Choi’s name had been mentioned twice by people in my network as an example of a  “best in class” technical presenter. I was delighted to have this opportunity to meet him in person and to serve as his “peer” on this judging panel. (a whole lot better than a cold call!)

Leveraging your experience as a judge or panelist

When you are invited to serve as a judge or as a panelist at a conference or competition, you’ll want to do a few things in order to maximize the networking benefits of that experience. Never just show up and finish up without making an effort to connect with new people. As a judge or panelist, you were selected because of your expertise; to serve a community need and to help others. Being asked to serve as a judge or panelist is an honor and great recognition of your talent. With a little extra effort, it can also be a great networking opportunity for you.

Here are 10 things you can do to maximize your judging panel experience from a networking point of view:

1. Find out in advance who the other judges will be. Do a little research on their backgrounds. Ask the panel coordinator for a list and the contact details of the panelists/judges.
2. Reach out to the other judges in advance to start the rapport-building process. Consider sending them a LinkedIn invitation with a personal message letting them know you are looking forward to meeting them at the event.
3. Arrive early to the event so that you have the opportunity to mix and mingle with the other judges/panelists.
4. Remember to bring plenty of business cards. Be prepared to exchange them with the other panelists/judges.
5. Learn their names and know how to pronounce them confidently. This will allow you to refer to them directly when you are speaking on the panel. There’s nothing more awkward and obvious than when a panelist says “I agree with my fellow panelist over there.”
6. Pay attention to the comments they make during the judging panel. This is good information on how they think and what they care about.
7. Take a photo with them at the event. Consider sending them the photo via email following the event, posting it to social media and/or sending them a photo greeting card.
8. Follow up after the event. Send your fellow judges a LinkedIn invitation with a personal message referencing your shared experience.
9. Stay in touch. Find a way to help the other judges in any way you can. Give them ideas, make connections/introductions for them, send them articles that may interest them.
10. Thank the host of the event and the person who invited you to be on the judging panel. These are important relationships to build as well.

Diverse contacts will broaden your sphere of influence

Your fellow judges may come from different disciplines and different “worlds” than you, but making the effort to connect with them will benefit you. It will add strength to your sphere of influence and enable you to help yourself and others in ways that will be revealed in the future.

Your networking goal for the week

If you are interested in becoming a judge or panelist, check out what’s happening at your local high schools and  area colleges. Find out if they need local business advisers or professionals to participate in upcoming competitions or conferences. Volunteer yourself and find out how you can help them. Don’t expect to get paid for this role. Instead think of it as an investment in your personal brand and your network.

You can also check out opportunity to judge applications for grants/awards given out by nonprofit organizations or volunteer service clubs. For example Soroptimist International of the Americas needs “non members” to review applications and select winners for their Women’s Opportunity Award and Violet Richardson award. This is another interesting way to lend your expertise and get to know new people who you can add to your network.

Lastly, you might consider telling people in your network that you are looking for an opportunity to serve as a judge or panelist at an industry conference or event. This may or may not result in an immediate opportunity for you, but you have planted the seed. You’ve told the universe that you want to serve your community in this powerful way.