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Lesson 14 -
Networking
In our lessons so far, we have looked at attitude, goals
(especial Big Hairy Audacious Goals), being remarkable, working towards Great,
and avoiding pitfalls.
Today we will start looking at networking.
When I was young and naïve, this author thought it was “What
I know not who I know” that made the difference. After 38 years as a professor, I understand
that knowledge is important, that thinking and being able to adapt is very
important, but having a network is also very important. So, who I know – and who I network with is
important.
Overview: What is networking?
According to San Jose State University; “Networking is
simply an information exchange between you and another person. It involves establishing relationships with people who
can help you advance your career in many ways” (taken from: http://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-development/networking/what-networking)
\You can network with anyone. You can ‘network’ with your roommate, your
classmates, your professors. Let’s look
more at the purpose of networking
Purpose of professional networking: The SJSU definition says “establishing
relationships with people who can help you advance your career in many ways”.
Who to network with
for a career?
As you have been thinking about who you are and where you
are going, this is a good time to meet with people in that field. Let’s say you are thinking about going into
computing – you should be finding people to talk to in that field. Within computing, there are several areas –
programming, vendor liaison, networking (computer networking, not people
networking), architecture, ERP, CRM, security and much more. Most students who are thinking of computing
may not be thinking of all the options and talking to some computing
professionals can help you understand the field.
There are many sources for networking – your neighbors, your
parent’s friends and people they know, even your high school career counselors
will know people to talk to.
How to get a network
appointment
Call or email the person to see if you can ask them
questions about their field. Make an
appointment of approximately 15 minutes.
If you are going to the person’s work site, be very understanding of
their time. A CEO or high level
professional making $200,000 a year on an hourly basis is about $100 an
hour. Not that you will need to pay for
the time spent with the person, but be careful of their time. Time they spent with you is time that they
could be making million dollar decisions for their companies.
Have an agenda – ask specific questions – do your homework
before you met. Questions you might want
to ask in a networking session:
- How did you choose this field?
- What is your average day like?
- What professional organizations are you part of and why?
- What advice might you have for me?
- If you could start over, how might you do it differently?
- Why do you like what you do?
- Did you always want to be in a position like this?
- Who has made the biggest impression on you and why?
Take notes in the interview.
Follow up questions with related questions if appropriate.
Assignment:
- Find an interview and write your notes for two interview situations.
- How did you determine who to interview?
- Did the interviews help you towards – or away – from a particular field / job?
- Who else should you interview? Why?
- Could one of the people you interviewed become a mentor? Why or why not?
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