And how it can change yours too!

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

I’ve never been an out-and-out extrovert, in fact, I have been an introvert for the entirety of my life. Socializing has always drained my energy and I have found myself zoning out at get-together and parties thinking about the coziness of my quiet room countless times. I am often wildly misunderstood for this and I can understand why.

However, things took quite a turn last year when I decided to become more active on my side hustle. I am an application developer and like all the products, my app needed users. Having just finished high school and without a job, I knew I had to build a follower base on social media organically — and this is where things changed.

I gave several social platforms a try and ended up liking Reddit and Twitter the most. My objective was very clear; share relevant, genuine content to build a pool of followers that I can then advertise to later. I started following influential and famous personalities belonging to the software development field since my app catered to developers. What I learned after a month of following and commenting on their tweets was that I wasn’t alone trying to gain followers. I started to interact and follow other people with similar interests as me regardless of their follower count. This opened a completely new door for me as I started to understand their methodologies, circumstances, and perspectives.

The feelings turned out to be mutual as I have recently started to gain followers too. I started to learn from many of the industry veterans and this changed my vision not only just about the industry but also about life in general.

Networking is not just about connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people,people with ideas and people with opportunities - Michele Jennae

Interacting with people from all walks of life with similar goals has made me a lot more positive towards trying out new things and being authentic. Your network should represent your goals and ambitions in life.

I have always been taught from childhood that landing a good, high paying job is the ultimate goal, and the only way to find fulfillment in life. But by following stories and career choices of people from around the world, I have learned that the conventional path is not the only path in life. If you are serious about something, there is always a way to make a living out of it. What matters is whether or not you’re satisfied with your day-to-day life.** Knowing this in your early 20’s can really shape the rest of your life.**

Photo by Windows on Unsplash

Professionally, I have gathered many insights into the job market and how to avoid common mistakes committed by beginners. Additionally, I’ve sharpened and reassessed my qualifications and picked up new hobbies as well.

On a personal level, networking has changed my perspective about life and helped me grow as a person. I am trying out new ventures and feel much more content with my life. Moreover, I am much more open to discussing my thought process and mistakes with people.

If you surround yourself with five millionaires, you are going to be the sixth!

Here’s how you can network

1. Start small. You really don’t need to attend traditional meetups to meet people. Try one social media platform at a time and join/follow relevant communities.

2. Try to interact and follow people you like. That person does not have to be from the same field as you. For example, if you are a law student and have photography as a hobby, feel free to follow and network with photographers.

3. Be authentic. Don’t fake interest.

4. Network with people from all walks of life, from freshers to veterans. This will broaden your scope.

5. Follow up and then follow up again. The only way for people to recognize you is when you keep showing up with something relevant.

6. Pay it forward. Networking is a two-way street. Teach what you have learned!

7. Understand the power of having connections. Remember relationships are the key to landing your dream job.

8. Contribute genuine content (like a comment or post about how you feel about something). It can be life experience or something interest you found online.

   Who knows you is much more important than who you know

Takeaway

Networking with people from different countries, cultures, and professions can provide you with life-changing opportunities. In this age of digital revolution, networking has never been easier. It always results in a win-win situation. A positive word about you from a relevant, well-known source can do wonders for your career. Besides, networking can also contribute to your hobbies. Having a well-established network is very important and the sooner we realize this, the better!