How do we remain connected in a disconnected world?

By Paul Bamonte , Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Energy

Candidly, some of my better writings have occurred when I had concrete experiences; something that I had the opportunity to directly participate in or witnessed a particular interesting talk or event. And yes, I do love the occasional “cloud-based” musing to think and write extemporaneously about unfolding events in our complex world.

On this very page, there are two other drafts on the impacts of Brexit on immigration and the increase of far-right politics across Europe. The other draft is, yes (who can resist), the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, filled with numerous topics from tribalism to the erosion of trust in our American institutions. Heck, I was even going to go into the Edelman Trust Barometer - one of the best tools to gauge global sentiment for a variety of topics.

However, writing these drafts allowed me to re-explore how to have an immediate impact, and there it was, an invitation to attend an American University (2017 proud alum, here!) panel discussion for incoming graduate students to the School of Public Affairs (SPA).

“Jump Start” is a two-week event for incoming graduate students at SPA, filled with panel discussions, networking opportunities, and the chance for these students to get a head full of ideas and socialize them. And let me tell you, they came with the energy needed to start at a running pace here in D.C.

Along with three other panelists from the public sector and academia, an hour of moderated Q&A by the Dean of SPA felt like we only scratched the surface of what was on the students' minds. However, these discussions are only the start of these students' AU journeys and their professional pursuits. One panelist opined that with, at times, hundreds of applications to review, are cover letters important when submitting a job application?

With COVID largely in our rearview mirror, what does networking look like? When you network, is it important to focus on top leadership, or would you be better served by getting to know mid-level managers? And more crucially, when you engage in networking or relationship building, what is your goal? Yes, these engagements can appear transactional; however, is your intent to come away with something tangible or is it to make a connection?

At the AU Key Executive Leadership Programs, our cohort discussed the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and, whether you subscribe to it or not, how beneficial it can be to recognize it and build upon your authenticity and sincerity - and in the panel discussion, your "brand."

Let’s face it, job hunting can be uncomfortable, not unlike speed dating, where there is the built-in pressure of first impressions. And as one AU panelist smartly commented, “You don’t want to start up a new job prospect application with ‘When are we getting married?'" EI can be a helpful tool to step into the arena of being comfortable with the uncomfortable, it can allow us to be vulnerable and be open to new relationships and build existing connections.

With all this context, how do you remain connected with your “discretionary energy” and what is important to you? We all desire to stay connected to our past achievements, to those with whom we've formed connections, and to follow up on those through which we have made an impact. I urge you to find a way to remain connected, even in small and meaningful ways, to fuel your life. A small impact is often the most significant.