Last night, I facilitated a session for Chatham University that was focused on helping students appreciate the power of networking. I talked about how setting SMART goals for their networking efforts would actually help them be more successful, drive who they need to meet, and influence how they speak about their future.
When it came time for the audience to develop a networking goal for themselves, they did amazingly well! I was impressed as I listened to some of their ultimate goals. One young woman wants to work for Discover Magazine writing articles. When I told her that I could connect her to a well known photographer for National Geographic, her jaw hit the floor! Another young woman wants to ultimately become the president of Nigeria!! Seeing that passion in her eyes told me that I'm sure she'll get there. Due to Nigeria's national comodity of cocoa & chocolate, she wanted to meet a chocolatier. When I told her that I could connect her with someone who is good friends with the premier chocolatier in the city of Pittsburgh, her jaw dropped too!
I enjoy helping our future professionals not only see the value in networking, but to begin to learn that they need to talk to people about their goals in order to motivate others to want to help them!
That in mind ... have you told your networking goals to the people who can and are willing to help you!?
1 comment:
Hey, Michelle, I would also be willing to make a phone intro to Debra Gorman, owner of the chocolate shop here in Perrysburg.
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