Illuminate Universe: Beyond Business Cards

Introduction:

Networking is one of the crucial factors that may have a dramatic effect on the outcome of an individual’s career and human capital. Being a second-year Electrical Engineering student at Western University, I was privileged to review Illuminate Universe’s work-integrated learning experience on “The Art of Networking”. Through this learning experience, I gained key reflections. This blog contains my reviews of my learning and leadership journey and intends to share knowledge, motivate others, and inform people on the appropriate way to excel at networking.

What is Networking:

Networking is not simply trading your business card or connecting on a site like LinkedIn; it is the real development of long-term relations aimed to provide particular benefits, such as new information, skills, getting a new employment, etc. Hearing is not enough when it comes to being present in a discussion or a verbal interpersonal communication. That is why using intellectual questions and actually listening to the answers are the best way to create rapport, develop social dialogue and get people engaged. Moreover, relationship continuity involves several follow-ups, whenever and wherever needed by the two parties. A brief text communication just to see how things are or sometimes to say thank you can go a long way in boosting working relations. An aspect of networking that many people tend to forget is people do not want to give to you until they know you can give to them. Just merely passing on information, being willing to help when asked or just being friendly to someone can go a long way in increasing the value of the relationship.

Takeaways:

In its essence, networking is very much like relationship marketing. It is not a matter of shaking hands or passing around business cards, it's about creating relationships that can furnish new ideas, skills and employment options. Networking also means listening or paying close attention to what is being said. Just as an example, if you ask a few questions and really listen to their answers, you’ll be able to construct an actual dialogue and, therefore, establish rapport. The other critical component is the follow-up process, which should be carried out scrupulously and routinely. Any relationship is long-term, not permanent; thus, active efforts must be made to remain connected; a simple message can go a long way – a check-up or maybe even a thank you.

Tips and Advice for Aspiring Networkers:

Be genuine. Trust is the key capital to any good network, and it is born out of the cores of truth. Just relax and be natural, express interest in people. Networking doesn’t just happen, it has to be sought out or created in some way. Take the first step and go to events, join associations, and contact people in that field. When you last met or sent an email to someone, that is the perfect time to always follow up. A quick mail, an RAX, a letter just ‘to say Thank You’ or to say; hello, let’s continue our friendship. Try to find how you can assist other people. Content socializing is valuable because it helps create a positive connection and can be in the form of knowledge, support or types of advice. Last of all, be concise, and do not give up on the process no matter how many times it was unsuccessful. One of the most important things that one has to remember while networking is that it does involve failure and thus the most important quality is the ability to bounce back to the field time and again.

Be Genuine: The major area of concentration which serves as the foundation for any good network is the reality. Take off the mask and be professional most especially when dealing with other people.

Be Proactive: You should not just wait for the networking to come to you as you sit back and do nothing. Just get involved in a conference and seminar, join an association of your profession and then launch a networking drive.

Follow-Up: It is always right to touch base after meeting someone for the time or after emailing them. A simple thank you in a card or an email can go a long way or a brief follow-up telling them you will be contacting them soon is quite a help

Add Value: There is a need to seek a chance to give a helping hand. No matter if it is information exchange, assistance, or morale boost, the formation of value improves the relations.

Personal Learnings and Impact on Skills:

From this reflection, I understand that I am always in the process of learning and therefore I should never stop learning. I realize that the process of developing content has improved my critical thinking, research, as well as writing abilities. It has also taught me the importance of communication plus the place it occupies in networking. Evidently, this has been a good learning experience of the need to follow up and add value to the new networks which are some of the key qualities of successful networking.

My Leadership Journey:

During my school years, I engaged myself in several academic activities and different additional assignments which taught me important lessons about leadership. A highly important one is the presidency of the Muslim Student Association in High School. In this position, I realized that leadership is not only about giving orders but it also involves listening, understanding what others are going through, and embracing constructive criticism.

Among the important things that concerns me is the fact that one has to lead by example and not just be an arm-chair manager. Whether it is coming back for a few extra hours to complete a task, being the first one to step up to the plate for a difficult endeavor, or demonstrating the ability to not give up after facing failures, I have to be the first one to demonstrate the proper attitude to the rest of the team members. Another indispensable leadership element I learnt during my time at work is delegation. Outsourcing a few responsibilities not only helps to delegate work, but also increases the feelings of responsibility in other people.

I also understood that leadership is a developmental process, and the leader needs to be ready to learn and evolve. Every case is exceptional, and it is possible that something that is effective in one case might not be so in another. In turn, this understanding has made me more adaptable and receptive to change and new solutions, procedures and methods.

Conclusion: 

Networking in its general sense can be defined as a process or activity which can be deemed as an art with such networking being performed coupled with other forms of virtues including tolerance and determination. From the Illuminate learning experience on ‘’The Art of Networking’’ there are several skills and ideas they have taught me which I would wish to extend to other people. Thus it is possible to prompt further educational development, contribute to the construction of constructive statements; furthermore, the targeted stimulation of students and teachers can positively influence the classroom learning process. Let's connect, learn, and grow together in our networking journey!