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Networking is one of the single most important tools in the professional world. Whether you’re building a network internally within a job or building it externally and looking for opportunities outbound, building a good network is the key to advancement. “Business and career-minded individuals who have networked over time have been able to expand with minimal effort because of the avenue of newer opportunities opened to them through networking” (Cole 2019). In order to network successfully, “Don’t limit your network to professionals within your field” (Delgado 2014). Job opportunities are open in many industries for different roles and making contacts within these industries will provide more opportunities for advancement. In order to network in my life thus far, I have been working with many IT professionals in addition to local government, lawyers, police departments, small to medium businesses. I plan to utilize the knowledge I’ve learned working with them and the connections I have made with them to leverage myself to a better position for the future. A great way to network in a community is by joining programs such as Rotary and working with the many powerful and important members in the local community directly to make a change in the world. However, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” (Misner 2017). Networking isn’t solely the act of meeting people and selling your work. It’s about proving trustworthiness, assisting others with finding a job, listening to problems and more. To be a good networker is to be a good friend in a professional environment.

Sites:

Cole, Bianca Miller. “10 Reasons Why Networking Is Essential For Your Career.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 20 Mar. 2019, www.forbes.com/sites/biancamillercole/2019/03/20/why-networking-should-be-at-the-core-of-your-career/#5660039b1300.

Delgado, Joel. “5 Things Every College Student Should Know about Networking.” FIU News, 16 Dec. 2014, newsarchives.fiu.edu/2014/12/5-things-every-college-student-should-know-about-networking.

Misner, Ivan. “7 Ways to Better Networking.” Entrepreneur, 25 Jan. 2017, www.entrepreneur.com/article/288108.

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Networking is important because you can "get your foot in the door" by talking with like-minded people, establishing connections and relationships, and learn more about an industry that you may not have known before (USA Today). Critical steps to take are seeing what your mindset is, what you're looking to get out of networking, and how to be proactive with talking to like-minded people (Marcus). There are a few tips to improve networking, such as maintaining relationships (instead of just only making them), not limiting your network to people solely in your field, and being mindful of online presence and in-person behavior (Delgado). I have done some networking so far during my college career, such as talking with my financial advisor, a business loan specialist from my credit union, and being referred by that person to speak with someone from UW-L that's involved with the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center. Some people may dislike networking, but it's important that in order to be successful, you have to embrace it and think about how you can contribute to making a difference with your knowledge as well as learning from others (Casciaro, Gino, and Kouchaki).

Now that I've conducted further research, I plan on improving my networking skills by maintaining relationships with my contacts, seeking out more like-minded individuals, spending more time researching about small businesses and regulations/laws on how to own one, and look at my community and see what other resources are available for me on how to be successful in my professional career.

Works Cited

Casciaro, Tiziana, Francesca Gino and Maryam Kouchaki. Learn to Love Networking. May 2016. Web site. 17 January 2020. <https://hbr.org/2016/05/learn-to-love-networking>.

Delgado, Joel. 5 things every college student should know about networking. 16 December 2014. Web site. 17 January 2020. <https://newsarchives.fiu.edu/2014/12/5-things-every-college-student-should-know-about-networking>.

Marcus, Bonnie. The Networking Advice No One Tells You. 22 May 2018. Web site. 17 January 2020. <https://www.forbes.com/sites/bonniemarcus/2018/05/22/the-networking-advice-no-one-tells-you/#376a9da27772>.

USA Today. What college students need to know about networking. 14 September 2015. Web site. 17 January 2020. <https://www.usatoday.com/videos/money/careers/2015/09/14/72248708/>.

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Why is networking key? What critical steps must you take? What tips are there for improving networking.
Networking is important because it can open you up to many career opportunities and can shape your career. It is important to build a network while you are still in school. Also, making and maintaining connections with people. There are a lot of ways you can build a network while still in school like using teachers as a resource, also jobs, internships, and clubs can be a great way to network with other people. It is important to maintain connections with these people which can be done by making an effort to check in with them often, or at least every 6 months (Delgado). A good tip for improving networking would be to keep in mind quality over quantity. Also, make sure to be present on social media accounts and making sure you are showing yourself on social media in a good light (INC.com).

How Have I networked so far? What do I plan to do now?
So far I have networked by getting jobs in the industries that I am interested in. This way I can use the employers around me for references and this could possibly open doors for me! I am very interested in the fitness industry and I got very involved at my gym and was eventually offered a job as an operations manager when there was a spot available. I also was able to get a good job in the transportation industry through relationships I have maintained through college. Now I plan to be more active on my linked in account and make more connections that way.

Other ways I could network are using social media channels, being generous, and setting goals. I could use social media channels to build a presence and connect with others in the field I am interested in. Being generous with my time could help build connections with other people. Investing time and energy into other's concerns could help build a relationship and could provide good value in return. Also setting goals and networking with a purpose could help motivate me to establish quality connections (Adams)

Works Cited
Adams, Bryan. “Do You Have A Network or a Community? Here's Why You Need Both.” Inc.com, Inc., 28 Sept. 2017, www.inc.com/bryan-adams/do-you-have-a-network-or-a-community-heres-why-you-need-both.html.

“Boost Your Networking Skills with These 7 Tips.” Inc.com, Inc., 12 Sept. 2017, www.inc.com/amarillo/seven-ways-to-up-your-networking-game.html.

Delgado, Joel. “5 Things Every College Student Should Know about Networking.” FIU News, 4 Apr. 2018, newsarchives.fiu.edu/2014/12/5-things-every-college-student-should-know-about-networking.

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Why is networking key? What critical steps must you take? What tips are there for improving networking? – Networking is key because being successful becomes significantly easier when you invest in relationships with others. We’ve all heard the saying its not what you know its who you know. This couldn’t be truer in business today. “Networking will help you develop and improve your skill set, stay on top of the latest trends in your industry, keep a pulse on the job market, meet prospective mentors, partners, and clients, and gain access to the necessary resources that will foster your career development.” (Augustine). Some tips for improving your networking skills are to be personable. If you simply hand out a card or piece of paper most likely others will care less about it but if you make a genuine connection with others you can build a meaningful relationship. You can do this by telling stories, responding to others, and making yourself useful when needed.

As indicated, networking is one of the most important methods to obtain a job, how have you networked so far during your college career, and what do you plan to do now that you have conducted additional research this? – So far in my college career I have networked by meeting with teachers as often as possible, actively keeping in touch with members of other classes for references and talking to recent graduates and colleagues at my place of employment to get a better idea of what to expect. Now that I have a better understanding of how important networking is I think that it will be great to attend job fairs, look into joining a club, and create a LinkedIn page.

Now that you know what it is, research additional ways you can network in your community to help you obtain a position in the future. – One of the most effective ways I found to network in the community to help me obtain a position is to get an internship. An internship with the right company can give you a large leg up on the competition for any job. “Employers often hire full-time workers from their internship pool, which means having an internship puts you ahead of other job seekers.” (Grant).

(List at least two other ways you can network.  Provide as much information as possible.) – One other way to network in college is to be available all the time because networking happens in unlikely places. “Networking doesn’t just happen at a career fair or conference. It could happen anywhere – even as you walk the hallways of the Graham Center or take an elevator to get to your next class.” (Delgado). Another way to network in the college setting is to have a presence on social media. “Think potential employers are not checking your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles? Think again. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 77 percent of employers now use social networking to recruit candidates.” (Delgado). Having a strong message about who you are for potential employers to see could be a huge advantage to other candidates while on the other hand having inappropriate materials and less than flattering pictures could definitely hurt your chances at landing the job. This is why having a LinkedIn page is also important to link your professional credentials to the social aspect of your career.

Works Cited

Augustine, Amanda. “Here's Why Networking Is Important to Your Success.” TopResume, www.topresume.com/career-advice/importance-of-networking-for-career-success.

Kagan, Julia. “All You Should Know About Networking.” Investopedia, Investopedia, 18 Nov. 2019, www.investopedia.com/terms/n/networking.asp.

“What College Students Need to Know about Networking.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, www.usatoday.com/videos/money/careers/2015/09/14/72248708/.

Delgado, Joel. “5 Things Every College Student Should Know about Networking.” FIU News, 4 Apr. 2018, newsarchives.fiu.edu/2014/12/5-things-every-college-student-should-know-about-networking.

“Public Relations and Social Media Vice President, Ad Council.” Candid Career - Public Relations and Social Media Vice President, Ad Council, www.candidcareer.com/video-public relations vp,2f02bbc81b3822ce23d4,WesternTC.

YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrJs2UHrsqE.

Grant, Alexis. “6 Ways to Network While You're in College.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2011/09/28/6-ways-to-network-while-youre-in-college.

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Networking is the exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest, usually in an informal social setting (Kagan). Networking is important because it is not always about what you know, but who you know. The goal is not to know as many people as possible. Quality over quantity (Brennan). Another goal of networking is to get noticed. When people start noticing you, it opens the door for newer opportunities (Cole).

One way to improve networking is to network on the fly. Networking doesn't have to be done at an event, but can be done anywhere. Another tip would be to avoid the hard sell. People don't like to be pressured, so avoid the pitch. Instead, just tell them what you can do. Lastly, do your research. If you are going to an event, know who is going to be there (Boost). Make a small list of people you want to talk to. This will help you make sure you are talking to the right people.

So far in my college career, I feel that I could have done a better job in terms of networking. For the most part, I have kept to myself, besides making a few friends from doing group projects. This semester I'm looking to branch out and make some new relationships. I will do that by attending events with the goal of meeting new people.

Works Cited

“Boost Your Networking Skills with These 7 Tips.” Inc.com, Inc., 12 Sept. 2017

Brennan, Susan. “What College Students Need to Know about Networking.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network

Cole, Bianca. “10 Reasons Why Networking Is Essential For Your Career.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 30 Mar. 2019

Kagan, Julia. “All You Should Know About Networking.” Investopedia, Investopedia, 18 Nov. 2019

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Networking by definition is the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. To me this means working with the people who will help open doors for your career. According to Joel Delgado’s article, he discusses five things college students should know about networking. These steps include, not only making the connection, but maintaining, it, start networking right away, work with professionals from other career fields, and be prepared to network whenever (Delgado). When we introduce ourselves to another professional, we tend to forget the potential of that encounter. Networking unlocks much more benefits then introducing yourself and letting it be at that. These benefits include creating an avenue to exchange ideas, making you noticeable, providing newer opportunities, nurturing your creative intellect, supplying an extra resource library, support from professionals, growth in status and self-confidence, and lastly, developing lasting relationships (“What College Students Need to Know About Networking”). “Networking is not only about trading information but also serves as an avenue to create long-term relationships with mutual benefits” (Cole).

I have not done very much networking for my business management degree, but in my firefighting career, networking comes easily. I have taken many different courses with a diverse variety of instructors and I wouldn’t have any problem reaching out to any of them. When you are surrounded with professionals in the industry that you find interesting, there are many instances that present you with an opportunity to introduce yourself to someone new or sign up for something to further your knowledge and meet more professionals. I think the biggest thing I am going to work on after researching, is to network with a purpose and stop thinking of the professionals I meet as just someone in passing, but instead view each person as a resource and treat them as such.

Some networking resources I found in my area include the JCEDC (Juneau County Economic Development Corporation) and PFFW (Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin). The JCEDC assists with startup, retention, expansion and recruitment of businesses, providing access to new markets, entrepreneurial activities, job creation, art and cultural opportunities, tourism activities and products, housing and homeowner assistance, area promotion, networking with legislature and elected officials, and educational forums and events (“JCEDC Business Members”). It’s basically the business club for Juneau county and it is overflowing with many excellent resources to be networking with. The PFFW is an awesome community to be involved in and network with. They make every effort to keep Wisconsin’s firefighters, EMS, and mobile resources to be able to operate successfully on the scene of an emergency. Networking is huge in the emergency services community, because we have to be efficient with everything we do as departments and together as a team in the state (Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin).

Work Cited

Cole, Bianca. “10 Reasons Why Networking Is Essential For Your Career.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 30 Mar. 2019, www.forbes.com/sites/biancamillercole/2019/03/20/why-networking-should-be-at-the-core-of-your-career/#149b6d931300.

Delgado, Joel. “5 Things Every College Student Should Know about Networking.” FIU News, 4 Apr. 2018, newsarchives.fiu.edu/2014/12/5-things-every-college-student-should-know-about-networking.

“JCEDC Business Members.” JUNEAU COUNTY, WISCONSIN USA, www.juneaucounty.com/members.html.

“Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin.” PFFW, 22 Dec. 2019, www.pffw.org/.

“What College Students Need to Know about Networking.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, www.usatoday.com/videos/money/careers/2015/09/14/72248708/.

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Networking is important because building the different relationships with your peers, co-workers, other managers, can help promote you as a potential employee. Finding the people who can influence you and help you build your expanded network is important. Experts agree that the most connected people are often the most successful. (Augustine)

According to the article, “Boost Your Networking Skills with These 7 tips” you can improve your networking skills by setting goals, utilizing quality over quantity, doing the needed research, drink strategically, network on the fly, avoid the hard sell, and managing your social media counts.

I’ve found so far that I am setting career goals for myself and reaching out to others as to what more I can do. I discuss with family, friends, current supervisors, and leadership of other employers as to what more I can do to educate myself and promote myself. I was previously looking for a position change and because of me reaching out and having multiple co-workers aware of it and aware of my skills I was notified of a lead position that was available. A previous lead I had was one of the hiring supervisors so she was aware of my qualifications as well as my work ethic. I was able to reach out to her and ask what they were looking for specifically and aced my interview and was offered the job. I was not looking at the time but from previous networking I was made aware of the position and it helped me get the offer.

Going forward with my networking and knowing where I want to be, it will be important for me to choose events or gatherings where I can meet the right people. I will also try to follow up with more people after meeting them. I personally may know a lot of people or know of them, but I want them to know of me in return.

Work Cited

Augustine, Amanda. “Here's Why Networking Is Important to Your Success.” TopResume, www.topresume.com/career-advice/importance-of-networking-for-career-success.

Baker, Jonathan. “Boost Your Networking Skills with These 7 Tips.” Inc.com, Inc., 12 Sept. 2017, www.inc.com/amarillo/seven-ways-to-up-your-networking-game.html.

Delgado, Joel. “5 Things Every College Student Should Know about Networking.” FIU News, 4 Apr. 2018, newsarchives.fiu.edu/2014/12/5-things-every-college-student-should-know-about-networking.

“What College Students Need to Know about Networking.” Performance by Susan Brennan, USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 14 Sept. 2015, www.usatoday.com/videos/money/careers/2015/09/14/72248708/.