Networking
Networking, as defined in Chapter 3, is the utilization of your connections to improve your career and help others who want to improve their careers. Your network contacts can help you learn more about the field you are trying to enter. They can give you advice about work in general and about the process of job hunting. While you should not utilize your network for job-hunting purposes only, it can ultimately help you learn about job leads.
It is instrumental to your budding career to establish a network. When you are just starting out, though, you may ask yourself, “What connections could I possibly have?” It's unlikely that you have made many contacts yet, if any at all. You are going to have to build your network from the ground up.
When it comes to networking, your options are endless. Your parents' friends, your friends' parents, and your former professors can all be part of your network. Don't be afraid to ask for help, and be generous about offering it to others.
The alumni association of your college is a good place to start. Career centers in many colleges provide opportunities for new graduates to meet with those who have been out of school for a while. If you belong to a fraternity or sorority, the alumni of those organizations can prove to be very helpful. Read Chapter 3 for a wealth of information about establishing a viable network.
