Networking refers to the process of building relationships with people who can potentially help you advance your goals. This can involve making connections with individuals in your industry or field of interest, attending events and conferences, and utilizing online platforms like LinkedIn to connect with others.
Benefits of Networking:
- Opportunities: Networking can open doors to new job opportunities, collaborations and partnerships. By building relationships with people in your area of interest, you can gain access to information about job openings or new projects that may appeal to you.
- Knowledge: By interacting with others in your field, you can learn about new trends and best practices that can help you improve your skills.
- Support: Networking can also provide emotional support and encouragement. It’s helpful to have a community of people who understand your challenges and can offer advice or support when you need it. It can also lead to finding the perfect mentor.
- Visibility: Networking can help you become more visible in your field. By attending events and participating in online discussions, you can establish yourself as a thought leader and build a reputation as an expert in your field.
Task
For a super important skill, we rarely teach how to network. Let’s change that right now. Good networking is all about practice and being comfortable in your own skin. This activity will help on both counts, ensuring you’re ready to network when it really matters.
- As a class, organize a networking event. You can soft-test your skills by networking with your peers from other classes in your school, building connections with those who are interested in pursuing a similar career path. Or you can take it one step further by inviting representatives from companies in your community, making connections with future employers.
- Decide on the formality of the event. What’s the dress code? What kind of food would you like to serve (if budget and time allows)? Decide on an appropriate venue (in or out of school).
- If people don’t all know one another, make sure there are name tags available.
- What format is the event? Will there be a topic to help focus conversation (future of work, skill trends, etc)?
- Will you have a speaker and/or emcee? We recommend having an emcee to ensure that everyone understands what they will be talking about during the event. The emcee can be someone from your class or your teacher.
- How will you network? We’ve drafted one idea that uses a speed dating-style format. As another option, you could design break-out groups focused on specific career goals/themes, allowing people to get to know one another through discussion. You could go more traditional and allow for participants to network casually (rather than forcing introductions), but when it’s your first time, that can be hard! Try to create some structure that helps break the ice and benefits both introverts and extroverts in your class.
- Invite attendees and follow-up the day before to confirm numbers.
- Create (and announce at the event) a space for people to follow-up, such as an event Facebook page. Sometimes connections happen in real-time; sometimes they happen later, with reflection.
- Ask for anonymous feedback. It’s important to learn what worked and what didn’t.
- After your event, discuss as a class what you learned and how you might approach future networking opportunities.