Going through the list of things I would be doing with my managers this summer, the biggest thing that stuck with me was networking on a professional level. What we are taught about networking in school can only take you so far when you are put in a real-life situation and I felt it was something I did not know much about heading into my internship this summer. I was excited to see how the people in my future career interacted with and learned about one another in social settings. About a week into my internship, I was told the first event I would be attending was at 7:00 a.m. on a Friday morning in Center City Philadelphia, a 45-minute drive from my house with no traffic. Obviously, the first thoughts in my head were not about how great of a learning experience it was going to be, but rather how early I would be waking up and how many people I would be meeting before I could reach the coffee maker. Sure enough, that morning I rolled out of bed at 5:15 a.m., put on my suit, and left for the city with tired eyes but ready for the new experience.
Once again, the individuals with more knowledge and experience knew exactly what they were doing. These are my mentors, and they knew the learning experience that would come from a 5 a.m. wake-up-call. I absorbed way more than I thought I could on five hours of sleep. At the event, I met professionals of all ages from several different industries. I had both long and brief conversations as if I was a part of the group, not just a young college kid looking in from the outside. I was so used to the, “How’s school? What’s it like interning with MatchPoint?” questions from family and friends, but when I was with this new demographic of people, they spoke to me as if I was their peer. This was my first time representing myself and my company at a networking event, and it was a lot to comprehend in one morning. The lessons I learned from just my first experience were invaluable, as I could relate them all back to what I was taught in the office, at school, and from interacting with different kinds of people throughout my whole life. I went into the event, slightly anxious about the new environment and unsure expectations, but left with a confidence that prepared me for whatever opportunities came next.
As I was starting to practice on my own some of the lessons I learned from my first official networking experience with MatchPoint, my manager offered to take me with her to a Happy Hour. My first response was, “What time?” Thankful I didn’t have to be up at the break of dawn, I accepted her invitation and a few days later we were on our way to the restaurant. I felt ready for the conversations and meeting people after the first event, but again, new people and a new environment were starting to get to me. This experience was completely different from the formal setting of the last event. This type of networking had a different etiquette to it. Very relaxed and just people talking to people. At first, I was trying to listen to who my manager was talking to and what they were talking about; but, as the night went on I felt more comfortable and realized, just like every other happy hour I had been to, it’s just people who have things in common having a good time after work over a few drinks. I had great conversations and was given a lot of helpful tips from individuals in different positions, each who had already gone through what I was doing in that very moment. Just like the first event I went to, on the way home and throughout the next couple of days I processed what I had learned and questioned why I was nervous in the first place.
Two events, two experiences, two major lessons…be yourself and listen to others! I was nervous going into each event as I feel any person in my situation would have been. It was like butterflies in my stomach before a big game, but in hindsight confidence was a major key. Even for a person who can hold a conversation with a brick wall, it is difficult sometimes to not think you must act a certain way or someone you are not, to impress those around you. I can say from first-hand experience that you learn from and impress others a lot more when you are not the one talking but listening. Whether I was having a conversation with one of my managers or networking with someone new for the first time, I was myself and I made sure I was listening to everything they said so I was prepared with an intelligent response. Be yourself and be comfortable with who you are because even if listening is all you are doing, that person will relate with you. If the connection is as simple as that person thinking you are a good listener, you impressed that person and they will remember you for that. Our ability to be comfortable around others starts with being comfortable with ourselves.
I understand that those who read this blog most likely already know about how to act in situations like the ones I spoke about above. That does not mean we all don’t need a reminder every now and then. Because of my position, I am constantly trying to learn new things and position myself in learning environments. Listening to people has become one of my best strengths and I have seen the differences it can make when engaging new people, and how they remember you. Being yourself and listening works in every environment, not just business. Whether in the office, sitting at home alone, or as simple as meeting someone new for the first time, try listening and learning instead of speaking, and see how quickly it can make an impact in your life. Lastly and most of all, I recommend you spend the time and energy to invest in relationships long before you ever need them!