Life is unpredictable and can become overwhelming if we let it. Your life today likely looks different from what you envisioned five years ago. Mine certainly does. We’ve arrived at our current situations through our choices, the people we’ve met, and the experiences we’ve had. Our relationships, specifically, have influenced these experiences and decisions. This highlights the immense power of connections, making it crucial to carefully and wisely build your social network.
In the 1960s, psychologist Stanley Milgram introduced the theory of Six Degrees of Separation through an experiment. He sent letters to over 150 people in Nebraska, instructing them to forward the letters to friends or acquaintances who might help deliver the letter to a stockbroker in Boston. Each recipient did as they were instructed until the letter reached the stockbroker. Milgram discovered that most letters reached the stockbroker in five or six steps, illustrating that people worldwide are connected by just six degrees. Some letters even arrived in as few as three steps.
This experiment demonstrates how interconnected we are. You never know the potential, connections, or knowledge a person may have. It’s essential to build a strong network, not to exploit others but to support and learn from one another, growing together and building each other’s skills and resources.
Here are five reasons why networking is important:
- Networking enriches to your social well-being
- Networking facilitates the exchange of ideas
- Networking introduces you to professionals at all levels and diverse backgrounds.
- Networking increases your professional confidence
- Networking broadens your visibility and extends your reach.
Networking involves making connections and building relationships that provide advice and contacts. To start networking, consider your current connections and who they might know. List the people already in your network such as:
- College professors or other teachers
- Former supervisors, employers, or colleagues
- Family friends
- Classmates
- Alumni
Once you have your list, think about what information, advice, and skills these people might have and what you can learn from them. Then think about who these people can connect you with. You’ll never know unless you ask them. If you’re still unsure where to start, platforms like LinkedIn are valuable tools designed to help you build your network. Connect with everyone you know, then you’ll have a better picture at who your network can help you connect with.