Building a Professional Network: For Real

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Fun Fact: Trees in a forest communicate and support each other through an underground network. 


As I cross the one-year milestone at the bank, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the significance of networking.

When I think about networking, I think of this quote : "Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are". 

I would like to reword it to say "Show, me your network and I will tell you who you are".

Like it or not, we are all stuck in this human web made up of direct and indirect relationships.

Direct relationships encompass parents and peers, while indirect connections involve relying on people overseas for goods and services. 

Essentially, you can work as hard as you want alone, but true growth does not take place in a vacuum. 

To go up, you must first establish a foundation, part of which is built through your own efforts, such as attending school and achieving good grades. 

The Great Pyramid of Giza took 20 years to complete with the coordinated effort thousands. 

In essence, the bigger your dream, the more people you need to involve.

If you aspire to become a Data Scientist, it's important to surround yourself with other data professionals and business stakeholders who share an interest in your work.

Unless you're Einstein, there will always be someone more knowledgeable in a specific field.

As a result, we all need someone to lean on to compensate for our imperfections.

I think the best way to envision this is as a jigsaw puzzle, where each person in your network is like a distinct puzzle piece with their own shape and colour. 

However, when these pieces come together, they form a harmonious and magnificent work of art.

With that being said here are some ways to build a professional network (for real): 

Define Your Goals : What are you hoping to achieve? Do you want to find a mentor, explore new career options, or expand your knowledge? Knowing your goals will help you focus your networking efforts and make meaningful connections.

Offer Value : Networking is not just about what you can gain; it's also about what you can give. Share relevant resources and provide assistance when needed.

Attend  Events : Conferences and workshops are great places to meet like-minded professionals. Make an effort to attend relevant events in your field and actively engage with other attendees

Leverage Online Platforms : Apart from your LinkedIn profile, Twitter Spaces are also an option to connect with persons in your field. I actually attended one last week and gained new connections and motivation to continue doing what I do. 

Stay Connected : Maintain regular contact by reaching out periodically after meeting someone new, whether it's to share interesting articles or opportunities or to congratulate your connections on their achievements. Consistency and genuine interest will assist you in nurturing your network over time.


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