Building a Better Network

You’ve gotten the invite: “Hey, you coming to the networking event tonight?”

As you look at your colleague/friend/supervisor, you mentally review the 700 other things you could be doing instead of meeting with the same 20 people at the monthly networking event. You Respond: “Nah… I have other things to do tonight.”

In my current position, I spend much of my day at work focused on building or enhancing networks for constituents I serve. The one issue that continues to affect me is how people of color lose out in professional advancement because of the lack of networks in our communities.

I see this issue play out in professional advancement opportunities, and in the lack of recognition these same folks receive. Having the right connections in the right positions is vital, because simply being the most qualified for a position or an award is no longer enough.

We are now, more than ever, in an economy driven by “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. That’s a huge issue if you’re like me: A first-generation college graduate with lower middle class Mexican parents who don’t have the social equity or connections to help me advance in the white-collar world I work in.

Therefore, it’s vital that I have a network of people at my side who believe in me, and can help connect me to other opportunities.

My colleague Maribel Talamantes is the Community Engagement Specialist for the City of Greeley. Maribel’s work, like mine, is about building connections and networks with the constituents she serves to make our communities better. On her own time, Maribel has focused on creating a network of young Latinas/os, but there have been challenges to get the group off the ground.

When asked what she found to be the most difficult issue in building a network for young people she shared the following: “The biggest issue is that people have not bought in on the concept of a network just yet. If they had, they would make time to meet, but it’s challenging to get people to come together… I also believe that they may not realize the importance of a network. I’d say that most believe in the idea of a network, but hesitate when it comes to spending time on it.”

In Maribel’s statement, she shares the perception of value in relation to networking, and how the idea hasn’t been fully recognized in our communities. Everyone’s time has a value, and that means we must give networking an equal value to other opportunities in our personal and professional lives, if we want it to provide value for us.

The best way to start highlighting that value is to describe how a great network can function:

1. A network acts as a resource – A network should be a resource that shares professional development programs, constructive criticism, and online resources with members. Do you know of a great blog that speaks to professional development? Share it. Have you participated in a unique leadership program? Share it. Has your friend asked you for advice on a resume or a cover letter? Share your insight. Which reminds me, the Latino Leadership Institute out of the University of Denver has been a huge resource for me. When I was looking to build a network in Denver, this program connected me to a family of emerging Latino leaders in Colorado who move our state forward with their contributions. I invite you to apply today!
2. A network is your megaphone – Your network should be the first place you look when you’re attempting to expand your reach. Members of your network should be willing to share your expertise with their contacts, connect you to resources you haven’t tapped, and also “share you” with their networks. By “Share You”, I mean that your network should be willing to share your blogs, comment on your posts, review your products, and endorse you on LinkedIn. Recently, a colleague of mine reached out and asked me to endorse her on LinkedIn for specific skills she has. She also requested the skills I wanted to be endorsed in, and did the same for me. Since LinkedIn is our professional online presence, and showcases our expertise to employers, colleagues, and industry leaders, we are both now better equipped to highlight ourselves, all thanks to our network.
3. A network lends a hand – Members of a network will participate in different ways or in opportunities that they believe in. That’s why it’s so important to have various opportunities for members of your network to get involved. As a member of a network, or the leader of an organic network, it’s vital to have roles your network can step into. Mentors, volunteers, promotors, attendees, reviewers, and so much more. By doing this, you help connect your network to the opportunities they care about, while supporting your and their professional development.

How else can we build a better network? Tell me what I missed and let’s continue this conversation on and off line.

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Chris Garcia is the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at the University of Northern Colorado where he works with student and alumni focused on career programming, network building, volunteer management, and external communications. He is a CASE 2016 Virginia Carter Smith scholarship recipient, a graduate of the Latino Leadership Institute at the University of Denver, and earned academic degrees from Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado.