Introduction to Networking | Origin: CS117
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Teaching Professional Networking Skills for Career Success --> Introduction to Networking
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
For me, building social "capital" has always taken conscious effort. I enjoy connecting with others, but there is a substantial amount of planning and execution required to maintain strong ties, reawaken dormant ties, and maintain connection with weaker ties. While most of the material from this module consists of new language to describe familiar ideas, I do have to pause and reflect: networking is viewed in the career services world as a tool to be leveraged, when in actuality, it should be thought of as a set of values. If a person shows their network that they value them intrinsically by maintaining connections and tending to their needs, naturally, members of that network will be more likely to want to reciprocate. Not only is there a tangible gain (jobs, mobility, etc.), but a gain in general sense of wellbeing (such as the delight and mutual understanding that comes with human connection).
More than ever, students are struggling to see beyond the "capital" in social capital. One of the most crucial ways to improve their ability to leverage networks is to emphasize how those networks benefit them now. Relationships with others can transform them as people and offer them immediate social, emotional, and psychological benefits. Not only should we focus on providing opportunities for them to engage with other students through events and in the classroom, we should also be involving them in/encouraging them to seek out community projects whenever possible (service projects, employer partnerships, workshops, hobby projects, etc.). The earlier we connect them to the outside world, the sooner they will see opportunities that can benefit their careers.
I learned the value in having network ties and broadened my knowledge of the different components of a network. I found the dormant ties statistics to be really interesting. I like the tip of reaching out to dormant ties once a month to re-kindle those ties.
Kelly Fulghum
I learned the importance of social networking and how to work this to the advantage for the students. Social networking will help increase the wages for the student and will help them receive promotions and advancement in their careers.
I learned that networking can fall into different categories and "ties." We can define our networks using this system to find where we can improve our networks.
Particularmente, he aprendido que la construcción de relaciones va más allá de tener presencia en un medio o red determinada, y que existen diversos actores e intensidades que dan lugar a la consolidación del capital social como social que nos posibilita desarrollarnos profesionalmente con mucha más efectivifidad. Por otro lado, he logrado comprender como el capital social incrementa la posibilidad de mejorar el salario, reducir el tiempo de contratación o acceso a un nuevo puesto de trabajo, entre otras ventajas que son de suma importancia tener en cuenta.
I learned there are many types of networks beyond what we just see on LinkedIn.
Trust is built on what I can give to grow an organization, my motive.
I’m thinking about my own current networks (school colleagues), and how I can better engage within that existing network. Doing my own work on this will help me talk about the benefits with my students. In particular, the challenge for me as an introvert would be to nurture dormant relationships. How can I encourage students to do this when I’m not comfortable doing it? I appreciate this opportunity to work on it.
This introduction reinforced for me the different types of networks, network attributes, and networking connection types.
Need to work on my network!
Comment on Angella Walters's post: I have been in Career Services for about a year now and I learned that your students need to learn how to network their skills set. How I am going to apply this is to make sure in my department I will show my students how important it is to be a part of their community.
It is super important to be networking at all times in your community.
