Disclaimer: The
following interpretations and comments are just results of my thought. I do not
claim responsibility for the accurateness/ validity/ sustainability or
implications of the interpretations. Because networking is an attitude and I am
still developing it.
If
I had a nickel for every time I heard the word ‘networking,’ I would be at the
bank right now changing for billion dollar bills! If I had a nickel for every
time I heard the words ‘networking’ and ‘important’ together, I would still be
at the bank. You obviously got the point. If engineering management was a
religion, the activity of ‘networking’ is the most sacred ritual that involves
the Holy Grail of ‘learning.’ Did I take the analogy too far? :P
So
after all the events and the speeches about networking, my dumb brain decided
to actually understand what the word meant. So I looked it up in the
dictionary. It defined networking as “connecting two or more computers or other
devices.” That didn’t make a lot of sense to me. So all this while, people kept
saying “you have to connect two or more computers or devices to have a great
career path?”
Hahaha…Enough
kidding. Here’s what I really have to reckon. Networking is not just talking to
someone and gathering information like the person’s name, place of birth and
hobbies. Networking is about genuinely (cannot stress this
word enough even after bold, italic and underline) being interested in another
human being. It is about having the best thoughts and intentions at heart and
sharing them. Having said that, a very good question that many of us might be
asking is ‘how and why must I be interested in someone else’s life?’ Wait, you
didn’t ask that question? Well, I’m gonna try and answer it anyway. You have to
network because you are a social being. Being interesting and interested is a
very crucial part of being social. And to drive this exact point home, the MEM
program and many such others organize networking events. These events are
excellent practice sessions for being a great social animal.
Now,
I want to comment on the state of ‘not being able to network well.’ It is
absolutely understandable and genuine to not be able to network well. After all,
it is an art. It is more than an art. It is an attitude. So even if you are
doing it mechanically or even if you suck at it, keep trying. I would like to
paraphrase Professor Jeff Glass here. ‘It is a bit like learning a new
instrument. Initially you just play the notes as instructed by your teacher.
You might not realize the depth or the weight in the music. You play it anyway.
You practice, you learn, you practice again, you memorize, you connect, you get
better and finally, someday, you internalize
it.’ That is the state when you are the most genuine and social. Networking
sessions and social events here at Duke, can be your practice sessions. Your
friends and colleagues are nice, courteous people who will definitely
understand and appreciate your efforts. And through such conscious effort and
sub-conscious learning, you will someday be genuine, social and successful.
Credits:
All the people I have interacted with.
