Last month I had the pleasure of facilitating a networking session for the students in Mohawk’s Occupation Specific Language Training program (OSLT). This is a practical and innovative course that helps newcomers gain confidence in their communication skills which will assist them in their job search.
My role was to share my experience with networking, shatter common myths around networking and help prepare them for venturing out to face-to-face opportunities as well as continue online networking through social media and virtual sessions. This experience always makes me think about how networking has changed over the years and particularly, during the pandemic.
When I left Bell Canada in 2001, I was not really familiar with networking. My only business network was my Bell network which wasn’t going to help me get started in my newly established coaching and training business (Although my very first contract was with an ex-Bell employee who had moved over to Rogers).
I learned quickly though and joined the Stoney Creek and Oakville Chambers of Commerce. I did a lot of face-to-face networking in those days including volunteer work on boards which actually led me to Mohawk College. Social media was just becoming a thing.
Now I encourage people to do both – virtual, including social media, and face-to-face. I encourage the participants of our Future Ready Leadership programs to join the Communities we have set up on our learning management system. Not only do the Communities provide an opportunity to connect with and get to know other participants, our facilitators, and MCE staff, they house additional resources such as video links, articles, case studies, and more.
Networking is here to stay. You never know where the connections you make will lead you. You never know what you might learn.
Happy networking! Reach out to me if you’d like some tips.
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