Presentation skills and effective communication techniques

Networking Report: Past, Present, And Future

Networking Present

'it's not what you know, but who you know.' I have often heard this cliche repeated again and again, in regards to networking. The implication of the quote seems to be that networking is a somewhat conniving thing, and that friendships in the workplace are built less upon trust than upon self-interest. However, I have seen firsthand in the past how networking can have positive benefits for businesspeople in a manner that is mutually advantageous and not at all based upon using people. A friend of mine went to business school, met another professional with similar interests and aptitudes, and the two of them kept in contact and eventually opened a successful enterprise together. I have found that by going to events held by professional associations that I am more aware of the opportunities that exist and the expectations in my field. Networking can be eye-opening, not manipulative.

In my home country of Turkey, business is very much intertwined with friendship and social relationships and this creates a strong and unbreakable network when people are faced with difficult times, economically. I have similarly tried to share my experiences with my colleagues, connect with fellow students who have similar interests, and use my experience at UCI as an opportunity for learning and laying the groundwork for possible future business associations. At minimum, I will keep in touch with the people I have met through email and social media and learn and share with them in the near future. I hope to continue to foster the learning environment I have enjoyed at university in all of my future business connections. In the far future, who knows what may come regarding the opportunities we may foster, collectively?

Networking past

I knew upon coming to UCI that the United States tends to have less of a family and friendship-based culture, regarding networking, than Turkey. The U.S. is often described as a more 'low context' nation vs. A 'high context' culture like my native Turkey. There is less emphasis on socialization and familiarity in business, and more upon facts, figures, and the 'bottom line.' However, at school, I am proud to say that the fellow business students with whom I networked with are friends. Even during formal networking events (I attended several) there was genuine friendliness and a desire to connect on a meaningful, rather than a superficial level. The coldness and brusqueness I was afraid I would meet in a business context was not characteristic of my interactions with my fellow professionals.

Networking future