The Art of Networking: Lessons Learnt So Far

10 Reasons Why Networking Is Essential For Your Career

Over the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure of attending a series of enlightening Marketing Seminars. This journey was full of meaningful connections, eye-opening experiences, and countless lessons that fundamentally shifted my perspective on my career path. Here’s what I learned, the network I built, and how it’s shaping my future in the marketing industry.

Part 1 – The Power of Learning and Connection

The Marketing Seminar series, orchestrated by Wendy Greenwood, was packed with industry experts, each providing unique insights and wisdom. Among the speakers, Dorcas Tola Solomon, Amanda Lee, and Melanie Evely stood out for their inspirational narratives and valuable lessons.

Dorcas Solomon taught me the power of authentically selling accomplishments, aligning career choices with personal values, strategic networking, and the pursuit of interests outside of work. Amanda Lee opened my eyes to innovative marketing strategies involving social media influencers, showcasing the significance of staying attuned to digital marketing trends. Melanie Evely emphasized embracing change and aligning personal interests with professional growth – lessons that encouraged me to approach my career journey with a growth-oriented mindset.

The most crucial learning from the series was the importance of staying adaptable and continuously learning in a fast-paced field like digital marketing. These lessons are helping me shape my career path and future decisions.

Part 2 – Building a Robust Network

Along with gaining invaluable knowledge, I successfully built a solid network of industry professionals, which has and will continue to guide me in my career path.

Who I Networked With:
I have followed all seminar speakers on LinkedIn, further strengthening my network base. Their insights, experiences, and advice can provide valuable guidance on my journey.

Events and Activities:
Beyond the seminars, I also attended other digital marketing webinars, startup events, and coffee chats. These activities expanded my knowledge base and provided further networking opportunities with professionals and industry enthusiasts alike.

Groups Joined:
I joined a couple of LinkedIn groups dedicated to digital marketing and start-ups, allowing me to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and stay updated with industry trends.

Job-finding Resources:
I extensively used LinkedIn for job hunting, Glassdoor for company reviews, and Indeed for wider job search options. Attending career fairs also proved beneficial.

Maintaining Connections:
To keep in contact with my network, I engage regularly with their posts on LinkedIn, drop occasional emails to catch up, and meet in person or virtually when possible.

Co-op Position:
I am currently interviewing for co-op positions however strategic networking efforts indeed played a crucial role in generating co-op leads.

Networking Tips:
Through my experience, I learned that networking is more than exchanging contacts; it’s about building authentic relationships. Always follow up after meetings or events, maintain regular contact, and, most importantly, be genuine and interested in other people.

This journey was indeed a transformative one, setting a strong foundation for my future in the marketing industry. As I continue my adventure, I am eager to meet new people, learn from their experiences, and share my knowledge. After all, as they say, your network is your net worth!

Thank you for joining me on this journey! I hope my experience inspires you to start networking more actively, effectively, and authentically.

Happy networking!