"Not much of a daunting task but often a useful one, networking retains a vital aspect in the hierarchy of social and economic mobility." I quoted my fellow business majoring friend who in her attempt to ridicule my initial opening sentence...ended up providing me with a dressed up version of what I was about to say...but in reverse fashion. Why do I bring this up? Her thinking perpetuates a sort of stereotype whereby business students usually see the socializing aspect of work a tangible resource rather than mobility blockade. There's the glorified, simplified view of networking and then...there's the case of the "engineer" who, hiding from the face of social scrutiny, finds it difficult to shed his previous life as a cultured hermit. It's all mentality...and mentality can be mended to suit a purpose.
I for one am not saying that networking is too terribly easy but it sure isn't the hardest task at hand for any college student. Though not required, we, as students, are often told to talk to our professors. Why might you ask? It's because the smallest encounter with a professor could lead to forming other connections. It could lead to opportunities, internships, and perhaps even research. It just takes initiative really.
It's often really interesting how rather random experiences can lead to networking. Despite the lack of initiative, I managed my real life social network by meeting "a friend of a friend." As often is the case, knowing a person in common really facilitated the experience. I also took the time to get to know a TA of mine (Ilya Gurevic)who now know recognizes me from a quad away apparently...and is able to pronounce my name in spanish in a correct fashion. Now that wasn't all I did. I also experienced the harsh reality of an Engineering job fair. Underqualified and ambitious is the best that my resume could portray me. I wasn't expecting much from the experience other than for it to be "a learning experience." On the upside, I became familiar with the almost, ritualesque behaviors and practices at such a fair with all of its formalities. The networking was rather minimal but helpful for me.
A lot of times, networking happens randomly. Sometimes you need to take initiative to network with other important people though. How beneficial do you think going to the career fair actually was?
ReplyDeleteTo the person not as social as yourself, how hard do you think it is to gain that initiative and go talk to someone?
ReplyDeleteHowdy Xavier, s'nice to hear your networking stories, especially your business friend's perspective. Gotta wonder, though, do they network like we do as engineers? Or do they do it differently...?
ReplyDeleteEd: Career wasn't that great to be honest. Yes you learn a lot about a few companies here and there but most of the representatives overlook a lot of underclassmen...and I totally respect that. I sure as heck don't think I'm experienced enough to handle some of those internships. I feel like junior year is the best year to go for something and cement an internship somewhere.
ReplyDeleteJoe: It's always hard to do something you don't really wanna do or fear to an extent but one will never get better if he or she doesn't even make the attempt. You can't let all events in your life evolve by hazard. The initiative will drive your goals rather than complete chance.
Robby: I always hear...even on my way back to my dorm, people discussing differences between certain majors. Engineers are often elevated on another plain but the so called lack of sociability always pops up.
I agree that networking just takes initiative. A failure of networking is basically just a case of laziness. Now that you've built some connections, how do u plan on utilizing them?
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