Networking

The idea of networking is very interesting to me. I think mostly because it isn't something I do on a regular bases or ever really thought about before. Most of the other concepts we've learned in the class I've had some experience with or at least though about, but with this one I haven't. Except that when I think about it more I start to realize that networking is something you do naturally. You're networking every time you meet a new person. That really the best way to be a good networker is probably to just be a friendly person and then people will want to help you and want to talk to you.

The more I think about it the more I realize how much networking I actually do. One main example I can think of is that my grandparents are State Farm agents and through them I've been able to meet a few amazing people. Because I was able to meet these people when my school had an auction I was able to call Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple and Amanda Brown, author of Legally Blonde and get signed copies of their books. These connections are important because it helps you get opportunities you couldn't get by yourself.

I think I haven't been as good at networking since getting to college as I was in high school and maybe that's why at first I didn't really think that I networked. I feel like networking in college is harder because in high school who I relied on to help me network were by parents and my church. Here though everyone at church are also college students and you don't have easy access to your parents connections. I realize that if I want to network here I have to start getting involved in the things like BYUSA and start talking to teachers and making connections with them. Because honestly, a lot of the connections I make here are gonna end up being the ones I use throughout my life.