Modern-Day, Big-City Networking

As a cusp-generation Millennial (technically a Millennial, but only a few years off from having made the Gen X bracket), I identify with both generations, in different ways. I embrace technology as much as the "young" Millennial next to me - but like a Gen Xer, I lament the days of more authentic human connection that technology has stolen from us. I text, I Instagram, I Facebook, I LinkedIn - but I also make a point to directly call someone when a conversation deserves that forum. [Confession: I refuse to SnapChat or Tweet... and my personal email is *gasp* a Hotmail address. See? Not truly a Millennial.]

I know the importance of mobile technology in the workplace, in the recruitment process, and in just improving the tools available to any one of us on-the-go. It still blows my mind that my phone can become a GPS with just a suction-cup Amazon-purchase in my rental car when I travel. Technology has improved so much; yet I still feel a twinge of despair every time I look around a public setting and see tons of people's faces buried in their phones instead of interacting with the beautiful and interesting humans around them. Biggest place I've noticed that? My commute.

An avid rider of public transit for years and years - I've watched as the public behavior of humans has changed from books & newspapers to headphones-in-ears & phones-in-faces. Same with airplanes, waiting rooms, and coffee shops. Where once we as a society had an opportunity to have interesting conversations with strangers (- where some of the more "organic" networking could happen), things have evolved to become a very clear "Don't talk to me" zone. And I get it - some of it's safety - not all strangers are the right strangers to engage with in conversation... but in the process of putting up walls, we've also blocked out opportunities to truly connect with other humans that might bring wonderful new ideas and professional opportunity to our lives.

So imagine my delight when I found a new arena to talk to strangers: rideshare pools. Don't know what that is? Well, companies like Uber and Lyft have started offering carpool options in many major cities, where you can pay a cheaper fare if you don't mind some extra stops. Riders who are going to and from similar places at the same times get connected into the same vehicle. When you're not running late, it's a wonderful alternative to being crammed on a packed bus or train. But the perks of getting to sit down and put down your bags are just the beginning... I've ALSO noticed it's a great new forum for networking! As long as you're not too pushy (and make sure to read nonverbal cues), it's pretty easy to engage your fellow riders in conversation. I've met people from companies I've always been curious what it's like to work for, I've met people who work at a fancy club where I'm dying to get a membership, I've traded restaurant tips, I've gotten business cards, phone numbers - and nine times out of ten, the person I'm chatting with and I end up having a mutual connection or friend. It's a small world after all.

I think why it works is because we all know it's a short ride, we have a "chaperone" (aka the driver) in case anyone gets weird, and we don't ever have to talk again unless both parties want to. Technology created this lovely new opportunity (which incidentally is helping the environment, too). Warms the Gen X portion of my heart...

So I ask you, where else have YOU discovered opportunities to network? Because as we all know, networking is most effective if you embrace it as a lifestyle, rather than only doing it when you need something from someone else. Who you know - and I mean know, not who you've only randomly-connected-with-on-the-internet, can be what opens doors for you - still, even in this day and age. Why else do we, from all generations, still carry paper business cards around with us? :)