We live in a world where networking has so much importance, classes, courses, workshops, videos, and books exist to assist people network. Heavy emphasis is always put on networking.
I must question, is networking really just overrated? The short answer is no, it is not. It is an essential part of building our careers. We need it to form connections in our desired industries.
Let me argue why it IS overrated.
Networking is daunting
If I’m being honest, I always found networking to be a daunting task that required much knowledge. Whenever I was approached by even just the idea of it, I would take a step back, mentally concluding that I’m “not ready to do this.” I’m sure many of you agree, it can be tiring cold-emailing people, or even putting up a front to impress someone with a professional smile, when on the inside, you’re tired and drained. We’ve all been there and done that.
A change of perspective
So, what changed my mind about networking? How do I even define it in my head? It all changed when I met a fellow marketing student at Seneca, he happened to be a recent alumni, trying to break into an infamously competitive job market of Graphic Design, in what is already a bad job market. I admired his ambition, but didn’t think he’d be able to get into Graphic Design easily after he graduated, if at all. However, he was able to score a job at a place he wasn’t even expecting to work at relatively fast and unexpectedly! Was it a case of good luck? I beg to differ and say it was not, but rather a result of multiple choices made prior.
What made an almost impossible opportunity possible?
To cut to the chase, he had sent a message to the recruiter of the job. He asked the recruiter to have coffee with him, only so that he could ask the recruiter questions. During this talk, the recruiter offered him the job. What helped? The alumni had built up meaningful connections with his professors during his time and Seneca, and even worked as a Teaching Assistant for some.
The professors had connections with people outside of the campus that allowed this alumni to leave a lasting impact on those around him.
People overcomplicate networking
His biggest advice was to make meaningful connections without seeking something in return.
Something I truly admire about this alumni was I always saw him being genuine in wanting to get to know another person, and learning more about them. What’s a big takeaway from this?
It’s to focus more on the people around us and genuinely try our best to build up relationships with them. Not because we want something in return, but because we actually care. As ironic as it may be, networking becomes much easier when we stop looking at people as a task orobjective, but rather as another human being who is as intriguing as we are. Turns out, networking is a lot more simple than we make it out to be.
A special thanks to my dear friend, Alduane Mano, who has helped change my perspective, and has hopefully changed yours too!
Written By: Celinda Roche
ASU Program