Let's step away from the professional side of things for a moment and talk about networking as average, everyday people. How did you meet your significant other? How did you get involved with an "after school activity"? Organic interactions lead to unintentional networking situations. Those unintentional connections can lead to even more, and then you realize how you have snowballed yourself into maybe a professional networking situation. Funny how that works, huh? Gives a whole new approach to "I know her through my second cousin, twice removed, who use to have tea with my sister's ex-best friend." My point is, networking has always been essential, in professional and personal growth. It has only developed to be utilized on a larger scale through PLN's.
QUESTIONS TO END ON:
Can you recall a time when networking proved to be beneficial for you?
Can you recall a time when your PLN assisted you in a professional situation?
Connect with me on my Twitter and we can share ideas! @beckrhoades 
Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI can think of many times where networking was beneficial to me in my professional career. One of the unique aspects of my job is that the majority of us work from home, and as such keeping a professional network intact becomes even more important. Since I'm not in "the office" every day, I rely on my coworkers and friends to keep me updated on new procedures on new job openings I might be interested in . I also rely on tools like video conferencing a lot to help lend that personal touch when I'm dealing with my coworkers or providing feedback to an advisor.
Hey Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI loved your thoughts on networking. I am in the category of those that thought networking would be difficult. However, the more I do it, the easier it becomes. You asked a question: how did you meet your significant other? I met my spouse through social media. I wasn't on a dating site, but my spouse and I had mutual friends on Myspace. We began talking (many many years ago), and that's all she wrote. We have been together ever since. I find it ironic though; I have gone through periods in my life where I have despised social media and wished that it never existed. In the same thought though, I have to be grateful for social media, because that's how I met the love of my life. It's funny how things pan out.
I have always told myself that I would never have a Twitter account. Since signing up with Twitter this past week though, I find myself checking my Twitter more than I do my Facebook. Maybe it's the thrill of something new or maybe it's the type of people I am following. Whatever the case may be, I'm having a great time exploring.