Why is networking so crucial during your MBA?
Networking is a fancy term for something that humans have been doing since the beginning of times: meeting others, exchanging information, helping one another out and sharing hopes and fears. Depending on your personality, this kind of social interaction may generate excitement or fear. Yet – even if you’re unaware of it, or are a hermit – you network all the time. This blogpost explores the advantages of harnessing your networking skills during your MBA.
What is networking?
The term “networking” actually comes from the IT world and suggests a kind of interconnection that didn’t exist before the technological advances that now allow us to reach out to others, virtually or in person, in a way that was unthinkable only half a century ago. Applied to the professional sphere, networking means the building and nurturing of relationships leading to professional advancement. In other words, good networking habits require a marathon mentality, focused on long term benefits (instead of a sprint mentality, fixated on immediate rewards).
What are the advantages of networking during your MBA?
First of all, we should stress that networking is always a good thing: solid research demonstrates that people who connect with others live longer; lead happier lives and suffer less from certain health conditions. In professional terms, and especially in transitional phases such as MBAs, networking is the surest way of getting information about job vacancies yet to be divulged; obtaining advice on how to impress hiring managers; benefitting from the lessons others learned when they themselves chose to switch sectors or careers; being introduced to professionals that are willing and able to mentor or advise you; remain informed about market trends; and quite simply making friends.
Networking is the foremost path to a new job and/or career change. In part, this is explained by the job referral systems we wrote about in this blogpost. If you impress the people you meet with your enthusiasm, knowledge, and background they’ll be much more inclined to put your CV forth to their companies’ HR. Yet even if you don’t manage to get a direct referral – and in addition to all the benefits we mentioned above – a networking occasion is always a wonderful test to your ability to introduce yourself to strangers and perfect your personal pitch before that crucial job interview.
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MBA students often begin their studies with very specific goals. As time passes, however, contact with fellow students from diverse backgrounds, group assignments on topics that had never before attracted their attention, international exchanges and other factors may change their outlook on their future career prospects. Naturally, in order to make good, fact-based decisions, an expanded professional horizon requires an expanded professional network. This is why networking is particularly important for MBA students.
How to manage networking during your MBA
MBA students have incredibly busy schedules: lectures, study time, group assignments and the more mundane obligations of adult life are incredibly time-consuming. Sometimes, going to yet another conference or cocktail party is literally the last thing someone who’s been battling with a Finance textbook feels like doing. Our take on this is straightforward: pick your battles. You won’t be able to attend every single event, and that’s OK; moreover, if you’re sure you won’t be at the top of your game at a precise event, don’t go! There’ll be other occasions for you to mingle with interesting people.
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If you do show up, do it with a smile on your face and having conducted some research on the event’s attendees. Also, bear in mind that nobody enjoys being treated as a means for you to attain your goals; make sure you demonstrate an honest interest in the people you meet and make them feel comfortable around you. Follow-up on the conversations you have and never forget to thank people for their time and insights; nurturing these relationships will bear more fruits in the long term than whatever immediate information you can get in a short, limited interaction.
Enjoy your new friendships and allies and reach out to us if you have any suggestions for innovative networking initiatives!
As always, we await your comments and questions! Feel free to download our ebook below.
