Next-Level Networking

All the fall semester starts, students are preparing to meet a lot of new faces. Whatever season of life you’re in, it’s never a bad idea to brush up on your networking skills. Keep in mind these three ideas to broaden your network and make more meaningful connections.?

1. Network in all directions

Whether you are a college student or an established professional, it can feel most comfortable to network within your major or industry. Good peer connections are essential to staying involved and up to date. Still, do not overlook the potential in networking outside your field. The technology and business worlds have always been intertwined. Arts and humanities play a huge role in all industries, which is finally being recognized through the transition from STEM to STEAM. A new logo can do wonders to refresh a business, and an aesthetic Instagram feed can attract more users to a software. The Invention to Innovation Center (I2C) is fortunate to be an ecosystem that involves all disciplines to further tech entrepreneurship.

Don’t limit yourself to networking with people who are more established than you. There are many roads to the same place. Someone at the same level as you can have vastly different experiences and so much wisdom to offer. Younger or newer people can see new approaches and angles that senior employees might never have imagined. Besides, you can’t tell someone’s seniority just by looking at them, or even by their job title. Many secretaries know more about the company than the CEOs. Chances are, the janitor can unlock more doors than your supervisor.?

Oftentimes, networking is seen as a way to leverage connections to help you succeed. It is crucial to remember that you’re speaking with a person, not just a company or job title. Each person has a unique and valuable perspective. Whether you are shaking hands or exchanging emails with someone, everyone deserves respect.?

2. The Golden Rule

Treat others how you would like to be treated. Networking is a powerful tool. Still, no matter how many connections you make, if it is solely for personal gain, it will limit how far it can take you. Instead of solely looking for those who have something to offer you, try connecting with someone who can benefit from your help.?

Meister LLC , a digital resources company at the I2C, did a giveaway worth $10,000+, offering a free website to one lucky local business. Their huge act of? generosity paid off. The winner loved the website so much they recommended Meister to their whole network. It led to mutual growth, not just for the giveaway winner. Over the past two years, Meister has continued to establish themselves in the Huntsville community as a trusted, go-to company for all things digital resources. Their success story shows how business supporting businesses helps everyone win.

Even if you don’t have the resources or knowledge for something that big—maybe you’re a college upperclassman with some advice to give to incoming freshmen. This will be my second year of being an Honors Mentor to the incoming Honors College students. You’ll often find that mentees have plenty of advice to give to you as well!?

If you’re an industry professional looking to help aspiring entrepreneurs, the I2C’s Mentor .Live program pairs established experts with promising mentees. Whether you’re looking for a monthly meeting or just an hour every couple months, your time can go a long way if you’re passionate about guiding the next generation of innovators. There are even virtual options!

3. Know your limits

There are so many networking opportunities out there. It’s great to take advantage of as many as you can. You never know when you might meet someone who can transform your career. Unfortunately, there are some times when you might need to sit one out.

If you are sick, stay home. At a networking event, you should be giving people business cards, not the common cold. Yes, you might miss out on meeting that hiring manager, but if you sneeze on them you probably wouldn’t be first on the list for the job either. If there is someone you really wanted to meet, you can still like the LinkedIn post they make about the event and send a connection request. If you’re feeling brave enough, you can send a message. They might admire your consideration for not wanting to get them sick. If an opportunity is meant to be yours, it will happen. Maybe you can meet up for coffee once you’ve recovered. That’s far better than a short conversation at a crowded event.

If you planned for an event but the day of are not feeling mentally up for it, give yourself time to decide whether it’s worth it to go. Some days, it’s better to rest or get some work done instead. Meeting new people while you are a bit cranky is a bad combination. Other times, you should muster up the courage to at least get dressed for the event. Who knows? You might end up excited to go once you are looking professional, or after hearing that one song from your getting ready playlist. Then you can make the call.

Keep in mind the cost of networking events. This can add up, so make sure the money you spend on tickets is worth the return value you get by going. There are so many free opportunities to take advantage of. The I2C and Women in Tech // Huntsville host free events throughout the year. Nearly every event comes with complimentary food and drinks! From delicious catering to inspiring guest speakers, that is more than worth your while. All you have to do is RSVP. Make sure to take your vitamins and blast your favorite getting ready song, since networking at the I2C is an event you won’t want to miss.

Conclusion

With these three tips, you’re equipped to take your networking to the next level. Do you have any networking stories or tips to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments or at [email protected]. Thanks for reading!

Resources

I2C Mentorship Program https://www.uah.edu/i2c/programs/mentoring

Meister (Digital Resources Company) https://joinmeister.com