Networking Savvy Kathleen E. High, M.Ed., CDF Adjunct Career Counselor, Cypress College

What Is Networking? Making connections with people To increase your access to: ◦ Information ◦ Resources ◦ Support ◦ Jobs ◦ Referrals ◦ Professional development opportunities ◦ Career advancement opportunities ◦ Other personal and professional activities Networking is a two-way relationship - both benefit

Types of Network Contacts Professional Mentors Employers Co-workers Former supervisors and co-workers Professional colleagues Professional association members Union members for your trade or craft Professional development activities

Types of Network Contacts School Teachers Counselors Mentors Peers Classmates Alumni

Types of Network Contacts Personal Friends Family Neighbors Service providers (doctors, lawyers, etc.) Church / Religious community Team members or group participants Support group members

Types of Network Contacts Miscellaneous Support group members Referrals from others Informational Interviews Cold calling – Reaching out to someone of interest to you Chance meetings (i.e. Happenstance)

Types of Networking Activities In Person – Career Focused Classes Work Business Events Conferences Learning Activities School Events Volunteer Activities Help out at a special event Organized social activity members Workshops, continuing education classes, etc.

Types of Networking Activities On-Line Social networking sites: ◦ Personal ◦ Professional Blogs Webinars Providing professional feedback to others’ blogs Professional Associations/Memberships Informational Interviews Roadtrip Nation

Identify Your Current Network Pool Name at least three places to network: ◦ School ◦ Work ◦ Family ◦ Social Activities ◦ Etc.

Build Your Network Identify three types of people to add ◦ Experienced professional ◦ Professor ◦ New contact in a new industry ◦ Thought Leader’s blog to follow ◦ Etc.

Networking Etiquette Approaching Strangers Asking for Help Importance of Reciprocity

New Activities to Join Identify at least 3 new activities ◦ Professional conference ◦ Workshops ◦ Comment on thought-leaders’ blogs ◦ Church or other religious event ◦ Etc. How should you prepare for that activity? At least one should be an in-person activity Online networking is NOT sufficient

Additional Information Many Articles Give Tips and Advice See handout for a list of suggested articles/blogs

Network Goal Setting What can you do to improve your networking savvy? ◦ Clean up my online presence ◦ Find someone for an informational interview ◦ Research some upcoming conferences to attend ◦ Etc.