Professional networks are essential, especially considering up to 80% of positions are obtained through networks. To begin assessing their own networks, FirstGen Ahead students completed a network map and were asked to analyze it. Then they developed a plan to strengthen or expand their networks, taking at least one action step based on the plan. All of the students found ways that their networks could be strengthened – which is a key first step.
Networking needs to be an intentional process. According to Isaac Serwanga, author of How to Network in College: A Practical Guide to Student Success in the Networking Age, networking is a skillset and a mindset and should be taught as early as elementary school. His main message in this Ted Talk is the three bones to networking, which are common sense but not common practice:
Wish bone. What do you want to do and who can help you attain it?
Jaw bone. Two components – 1) competency (Do advanced research so you know what you’re talking about to understand the industry, company, department, position, and yourself.) and 2) humility (People need to like you to want to help you.).
Backbone. Persistence (despite the “no’s” that you will encounter during your networking efforts).
Coaches can help students to learn these networking bones and begin to use them so that they can make them common practice in their lives.
