I
nformation is power—but only when it is utilized. It is the same for the connections made through networking. According to Beth
Howell, U.S. Employment Compliance Offi cer at General Dynamics Land Sys- tems, “Connections are a great source of power. It increases your ability to learn and grow.” You can fi nd mentors, teach- ers, and resources through connections. “Make that connection, and make it count,” encourages Ms. Howell. You are not alone if you are uncomfortable in a group of people you do not know and the prospect of talking to them terrifi es you. The key to overcoming these feelings is to “just do it. Don’t overthink…once you start, the conversation, it will come,” says Richard Wright, Director, Advance Tech and Innovation at Lockheed Martin. At fi rst it will seem awkward and things may not fl ow as smoothly as you would like, but keep going. “I had to make myself go and do these things…feel uncomfortable for a while until I got to a point where I was comfortable,” shares admitted introvert Olu Bolden, Sigma Six Expert Development & Certifi ed Expert Lead for Integrated Operations at Raytheon. Practice is the only way to get better at networking and to feel comfortable networking. Networking can take place anywhere.
Do not make the mistake of limiting your networking eff orts to professional occasions. You can make connections at school, through community organizations, while volunteering, or even while standing in line at the store or bank. Therefore, it is essential that you treat everyone you meet with respect.
NETWORKING IS A
TWO-WAY STREET.
You need to provide value and help
others if you want them to help you
by Denise Stephens
editors@ccgmag.com
Remember, you never get a second
chance to make a fi rst impression. “Stand in your excellence, be your best
self...be a good person; that will get you far in life,” says Howell. “The world is six degrees of separation.... You may know the Queen of England through a sixth person,” states Wright. Someone may not be able to directly help you, but they may be connected to someone who can. “Titles aren’t everything,” says Ms. Howell. “Don’t assume too much [about a person] until you have a conversation.”
Listening attentively to people conveys respect and lets people know you have a genuine interest in them. To listen attentively, Bolden recommends you “be fully engaged, block out everything else… understand what they are saying, respond appropriately, and, most importantly, remember what they say.” This may be diffi cult at fi rst, but with practice, you will get better at it.
The goal of networking is to have meaningful conversations. You want to get their full names and contact information, fi nd out what they do and what their interests are, and maintain the conversation. The more information you get, the better your chance of connecting with someone who can help in your personal and professional development. However, you need to let the conversation fl ow naturally while getting the information. The most important part of networking is following up. You have made a connection, and you need to cultivate it. Otherwise, all your eff orts were for nothing. Contact them soon after your fi rst meeting. Wright suggests that you reach out during the holidays and occasionally throughout the year to fi nd out how they are doing or where they are presently. Howell also advises that you tell people what you want. However, networking is a two-way
street. You need to provide value and help others if you want them to help you. Howell advocates for “getting involved with employment resource groups and giving any way you can.” This is also true for contacts. Support the projects they are involved in, and introduce them to anyone in your network who might be able to help them.
24 USBE&IT | DEANS ISSUE 2017
www.blackengineer.com
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