Many junior academics believe that the path to tenure is a path they must walk alone. The preceding sessions will have made clear that this is not so by demonstrating the importance of relationship-building within the law school and, where relevant, the broader university. This session builds on that insight by focusing on the benefits of establishing external communities. External communities should not be a substitute for internal communities; they should supplement them. This is particularly important when they are “deficits” within one’s home institution vis-à-vis one’s substantive area of interest or just people to whom one can turn for mentorship. External communities offer a range of opportunities—from advice about teaching, to opportunities to present one’s work, to emotional support, to involvement in a range of social justice campaigns, to functioning as “pools” from which the referees for your scholarship will be drawn at the time of tenure. This session will highlight why building a community outside of your home institution is important both to one’s success and happiness.