Building a post-doc network

Lately I’ve been reflecting on how hard it is for those floating in a post-doctoral limbo land to connect with academic networks and stay ‘in the game’. I was undeniably one of the lucky ones in this respect: straight into a position with all of the inherent early career support structures, mentorship and resources that entails. How can I help provide that kind of support for my friends, colleagues, and former students who aren’t so lucky (i.e. the vast majority of post-doctoral scholars)? This is a thought process still in process. Some of these ideas may seem self-evident, but pooling them together might at least help some post-doc folks feel less isolated in their travails. Here are some initial ideas: