Networking is your power tool.
I’ve always been told that the last semester of senior year is the most difficult. It’s the period in your life when you have the least time to yourself. Yet regardless how many times I have been told this I continued to think, “how hard could it really be?” Well, now I know. Since early January I’ve been managing my last few senior level classes, an internship at Philadelphia Magazine, work, my sorority, and trying to enjoy every last bit of college that I possibly can. I now truly know the meaning of “there aren’t enough hours in the day.”
I’ve always had an extremely busy schedule because I’m the type of person who needs to stay involved or I lose my mind. However, now I find myself so busy that I’m beginning to lose my mind. On top of all the work is the pressure to lock in a job by the close of graduation (this seems to be happening to less and less people…scary, I know).
One thing I can recommend to those of you debating whether or not to apply for an internship, go for it. Although you may have a million other things going on in your life, an internship is not one to skip out on. It provides you with real world experience and most importantly, networking. In today’s economy, networking is the most powerful tool you can have. No matter what your job is at your internship, I think it’s very important to build relationships with people in the office. You never know where an opportunity may arise. Whether it’s through Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, or even just an e-mail address, utilize these tools to make your future as successful as possible.
Last semester one of my professors told our class how keeping in touch with people from your past could really pay a toll on your present. He told us about how he had become Facebook friends with a woman that he knew in college. She had noticed that on his Facebook it listed that he was a professional public speaker and spoke at many seminars and because of that, she ended up offering him a job to speak at a huge conference out west. This is proof that networking can pop up in the least expected places.
Don’t look at an internship as something that you have to go to a few days a week to pass time and receive college credit. Get to know the people you work with, the more people you meet the better. Even if it’s just a small chit-chat in the elevator, it can’t hurt, right?
-Christie Porter
the reason I stopped to read your post was because of your title. I believe 100% that it is a lot about networking in our careers. I have met a lot of people throughout my time here but I know it is something that I need to constantly think about going into the “real world”. I think you are completely right about really getting to know the people you’re working with.