Networking is not just a formal process but an everyday opportunity to connect, share, and create lasting relationships that can lead to incredible opportunities.
By: Max Ramierz-Resendiz
I first heard of the term “networking” during my second year as a college student. I attended an Undergraduate Business Society Meeting at the beginning of the year, where all the business clubs from the school came together for a club info day for new students. There was a “networking” session after all of the presentations of the different clubs available. I was very nervous.
Facing Intimidation
Although I’m usually social and find it easy to talk to new people, being in a room filled with students in dress shirts, pants, and blazers was intimidating. These students used words I had never heard before and seemed incredibly casual in their conversations, which only heightened my anxiety. Suddenly, I felt utterly lost and out of place, as though everyone else was somehow better than me. Despite my discomfort, I knew I had to “network” with the club officers to learn more about the clubs I might want to join.
Determination to Connect
Determined to fit in, I stood up straight, used professional vocabulary with a friendly tone, and shook everyone’s hand as I introduced myself. I was convinced that what I was doing was networking. Although I was proud of myself for officially “networking,” I didn’t feel entirely like myself. I felt like I had to put on a front to appear as though I knew what I was doing. The truth is, I didn’t. I was going through the motions, trying to fit in with a crowd that felt foreign to me.
A Shift in Perspective
As I gained experience and met more people, I realized networking was much more straightforward than I initially thought. It isn’t about wearing slacks, a shirt and tie, a blazer, or pretending to know what you’re talking about. True networking is about connecting with others through genuine conversations—something we do daily. It’s far more casual and doesn’t require being in a hall filled with hundreds of professionals.
Everyday Networking
Networking can be as simple as a conversation at a concert, library, or grocery store. Let me share a perfect example of how this can happen in the most unexpected places—it’s one of the conversations I’ll never forget. It all started when I was working as a cashier at Target. I was ringing up a customer when I asked if she had any plans for the weekend. She told me she was graduating from her Master’s program with an MBA from Pepperdine University that weekend. Coincidently, I was an incoming undergraduate freshman pursuing an education in business. I mentioned this to her, and she offered me an opportunity I couldn’t—and wouldn’t—pass up. She told me that upon graduation, she would work in the admissions office for the MBA program at Pepperdine. She encouraged me to contact her when enrolling in the program, offering to help me through the process. She wrote down her name and email on the receipt paper I gave her. She told me to keep it until I graduated to contact her.
Lasting Connections
Over three years later, I still have that piece of paper tucked away safely until the day comes when I graduate. From a simple interaction—one of the hundreds I have daily—came an incredible opportunity that I continue to benefit from to this day. That, my friend, is the essence of networking. It’s not always about formal events or meticulously planned meetings; sometimes, those everyday conversations open the door to something extraordinary.
A Valuable Introduction
Another great example of networking comes from someone I look up to, now a good friend. As I barely joined clubs on campus as a sophomore in college, I attended my first meeting for a club for Latinos pursuing higher education. As a Latino, I joined to meet more people like me. At the end of my first meeting, my friend Manny came up to talk to me upon discovering we were the same major. He asked what I wanted to do later in life, and I told him I wanted to pursue a career in business management. With this information, he told me about another opportunity that would take my career to a whole other level. MLT is a nationwide organization that offers seminars, workshops, coaching, and much more to help underrepresented undergraduates thrive in the business world. They partner with big companies such as Google, Apple, and Amazon. Because of this, I am forever grateful to Manny for introducing me to the organization. It’s helped me grow professionally and seek opportunities I only dreamed of having. Because of MLT’s impact on my life, I’ve made it a point to share this resource with as many people as possible who are pursuing careers in business or tech.
The Essence of Networking
This experience highlights one of the true essences of networking: it’s not just about what you can gain from others but also how you can help others gain opportunities. With the information I know about MLT and the help they’ve given me over the past year, I tell as many college students as possible about the opportunity. With what I’ve learned from MLT, I’ve been able to share the opportunity with college students, customers at Target, co-workers, and even a DJ at a family party whose son wanted to break into tech.
Networking Beyond Business
If you’ve read up to this point, you may be asking yourself about the name of the title. From what I’ve made it seem up to this point, networking only works for business, which contradicts the title. However, I’m here to tell you that it’s true—networking is not only exclusive to business but all other professions as well. Engineering, medicine, education—you name it. My sister is a biology student who dreams of someday becoming an ER physician. Recently, she injured her knee and scheduled an appointment with a new orthopedic doctor at our local hospital. This doctor, Dr. Bradford, is highly respected—so much so that she was featured on a TV segment of “Doc McStuffins” to demonstrate real-life ‘Doc McStuffins’ scenarios.
Unexpected Mentorship
During her ortho appointment, my sister told me Dr. Bradford was the nicest, most caring doctor she’d ever had. She went out of her way to ensure my sister was comfortable and took the time to get to know her better during the visit. She was thrilled to hear that my sister was pursuing a career in medicine.
One unique thing about Dr. Bradford is that she’s not only a top doctor but also a mentor and board member of several organizations dedicated to uplifting women in medicine. Recognizing my sister’s passion for the field, Dr. Bradford offered her an incredible opportunity to join her for a weekend-long event at USC, where medical students can shadow and learn from orthopedic surgeons and doctors. My sister dreaded this doctor’s appointment because she was upset that she hurt her knee. However, she walked away with an excellent opportunity that will help jumpstart her medical career and explore other areas of medicine, like orthopedics.
Key Takeaways
One key takeaway from these examples is that networking can happen anytime, anywhere. It’s important to remember that it often begins with casual small talk—nothing too formal or over-the-top. Sometimes, life-changing opportunities arise in the most unexpected places, whether at a doctor’s appointment, a retail store, or even during a quick chat at a coffee shop. Networking is a two-way street; it takes two to tango. The connections you make can be as valuable to the other person as they are to you. Trust me—you’re excellent and worth connecting with! So, the next time you think about networking, remember it’s not just about business—it’s about engaging with the world, sharing experiences, and opening doors for yourself and others in any area of life. Whether in engineering, medicine, education, or the arts, the potential for meaningful connections is everywhere. All it takes is a conversation.
About Cultivate A Network Of Champions
You’ve been making friends your whole life, and networking isn’t any different. You have the skills and talents you need; we’re here to remove the anxiety and create confidence in conversation to cultivate your network of champions.
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