Networking - What and Why?
Photo: Kristinn Ingvarsson
Article by Ásta Gunnlaug Briem, Academic and career counselor at UI
Translation: Sindri Snær Jónsson
Many people say having a good contact network is important, and some go so far as to say that it’s essential for success both at school and at work. But what does that mean? What is networking, and how exactly do we do it? Why is it as important as people make it out to be?
The word "network" has many different meanings. Some think of a network as a group of friends and acquaintances or even a clique that takes care of its own. But not everyone agrees with that interpretation. Some assign another, more positive and professional meaning to the word. What we’re really talking about is a group of individuals in the same field, either in the same academic sphere or in the same field of work. Friends can, of course, belong to the same networks, but the term refers more to professional relationships that are built on professional grounds, at school or at work.
The Counselling and Career Centre recently joined with the Student Council’s Finance and Career Committee to host Career Days 2020, which gave students the opportunity to attend a variety of lectures and events, discussing how best to prepare for entering the workforce.
In an interesting noon event, Elísabet Berglind Sveinsdóttir, a marketing expert at UI’s Vísindagarðar, shared with students about why she thinks it’s important for them to focus on networking and how the connections they make with people in the same field could be very significant when they start looking for their future career. Elísabet emphasized the importance of thinking about networking from the beginning of their studies. She gave students a few tips on taking the first steps to develop their own network and pointed out that they could use company visits (vísó) that the student organizations arrange with various companies and institutions to their advantage. Attending vísó visits gives students a chance to introduce themselves to and meet others. It’s always a good idea to show an interest in the company and their work, talk to whoever welcomes the group, and even thank them in an e-mail the next day. Elísabet said she’s aware of cases where that sort of outreach has been successful.
Maintaining a network of contacts is as important as building it. No matter where you turn, you are constantly reminded to strengthen your contact network. On its website, Innovation Center Iceland (Nýsköpunarstöð atvinnulífsins) points out that a powerful network is a valuable resource for every entrepreneur. If you are an active participant in a powerful network, you will be likelier to reap the benefits.
Take advantage of opportunities, dear student, and put yourself out there. Go to places where you find the discussion interesting and you think you have something to add to it. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, listen to others, and share your own knowledge. You've already started building a professional reputation for yourself, likely without you even knowing it, and that is why it is important to think well about how you present yourself to others and how you want others to perceive you. Be deliberate about it rather than leaving it up to chance, and have some sort of a plan for how you're going to do it. It’s best to be true to yourself and know what you stand for. Think about your professional reputation, but don't be afraid to just go for it!
At the University of Iceland, you’ll meet people you’ll encounter again in the workforce. Studies show that if you have a good network of people during your studies, you'll be likelier to feel good, be more successful, and graduate. The more extensive your network, the lower your chances of dropping out.
Keep in mind, dear student, that it’ll take less time to build relationships with your peers if you show up to class, are part of the community, and participate in social life to some extent. Therefore, it isn’t just important for students to start thinking about their network when they're looking for a job, but also while they are still studying.
Good luck!