Hi there! Whether you've finished a Laidlaw programme recently or graduated seven years ago, we're delighted to see you on the Network now and can't wait to get to know you.

We are a vibrant community of passionate, diverse, and ethical leaders who are eager to make our world a better place for everyone. All our scholars are ambitious, brave, curious, determined, extraordinary, fast, and good next-generation leaders who embrace the power of research and ethical leadership to solve the world’s most intractable problems.

➡️ Get to know the Laidlaw Scholar values here

Below I will share the key ways in which you can use the Laidlaw Scholars Network to stay involved with the community. You can also take a look at this short course to familiarise yourself with the site.

Contents

💡 Purpose & Vision

1. Put Yourself Out There
   * Fill out your profile 
   * Get uploading 
   * Stay up-to-date

2. Network and Collaborate
   * Directories 
   * Direct messaging 
   * Video panels 
   * Your subject community
   * Alumni society 

3. Help Yourself & Influence Others
   * Scholars' stories 

Purpose & Vision

The Laidlaw Scholars Network is our online platform for everyone in the global Laidlaw community: current scholars, alumni like you, faculty, and our partner organisations. 

It is a space for you to connect, collaborate and flourish. Here, we serve as each other’s inspiration, collaborators, mentors, coaches and sponsors.

The Network enables you to reinvest your skills, knowledge and experience to help others succeed by:

• Connecting with other members
• Sharing your experiences, research, or opportunities
• Staying active contributors of the Laidlaw community after graduating

1

Put Yourself Out There 

The Network is a place for you to dazzle, stand out, and impress others. It is where employers will come to search for leaders with smart ideas and proven track records, and where your peers will look for connections.  

Here is what you need to set yourself up for success as an alum:

Complete your profile

Upload a profile picture, write a short biography, and specify contact details. This makes it easier for other members to find you, get to know you, and connect with you. 

➡️ Edit your profile

Stay up-to-date

To keep up with everything happening in the community, make sure that:

• Your notifications are turned on 
• You are signed up to the digest
• You are 'watching' rooms and channels that interest you

Check in to see content from your peers and the Foundation. Our members post regularly, so there is always something new waiting for you. Here are my favourites:

👉 Leadership Quote of the Week - every Monday you will find an inspirational leadership quote to start your week. You can also suggest a quote of your own!

👉 Scholar Spotlight - we regularly shine the spotlight on one of our fabulous scholars to learn more about their research, the drive behind it, and the lessons they learnt along the way.

👉 Opportunities - here you can find exclusive job/internship/volunteering opportunities from responsible organisations. Watch this room to be among the first ones to apply.

2

Network and Collaborate

Now that you've filled out your profile and made sure you are staying up-to-date with the community, it is time to connect with others! The Network is a perfect place for you to find like-minded peers, mentors, exciting opportunities, and collaborators.

Directories

If you are looking for people who are experts in a particular area, study at a certain university, and/or have similar interests to you, directories is a perfect tool for you. 

➡️ Learn how to use directories

Direct Messaging 

Once you find someone you want to connect with, you can contact them directly on the site - just send them a direct message! You can also look at their contact details if you would like to reach out to them somewhere else.

➡️ How to use direct messaging

Alumni Society 

Our Scholar-led Alumni society will allow you to stay in touch and pay forward your expertise. Right now, you can get involved by attending or running events like Career Panels and Community Conversations.

Feel free to join our group on LinkedIn as well.

3 

Help Yourself and Influence Others 

Use the Network for personal and professional development. There are already hundreds of research papers, and resources about leadership, such as our very own podcast, The Good Leader. In the News & Events channel, you can also find the latest announcements and opportunities. 

Scholars' Stories Channel

In this channel, you can document your journey and share reflections on a regular basis. 

Self-reflection is a powerful tool of development, so why not blog about how your career is going, and share takeaways/lessons? Your posts will allow others to grow as well. Similarly, you can read other people’s stories to learn from them.

Start by reading our Scholar Spotlights to learn more about extraordinary Laidlaw Scholars around the world!

It may seem that sending someone a DM or publishing a blog post is insignificant, but you have to begin somewhere. And the Network is your perfect somewhere. It is somewhere you can meet your future co-founder, future co-author, or future employer.

So, write a post. Start a conversation. Share your story. Change someone’s life. Change the world. Make the Laidlaw Scholars Network your somewhere. 

Haven't connected with us on social media yet? Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.