Network Your Way To Success.
- Reajonnae Freeman
- Feb 17, 2018
- 3 min read
As any Full Sail University student knows, the school mantra is “Network, Network, Network!” But as often as that gets said, many students still don’t see the importance of networking. In a panel dedicated simply to the importance of networking hosted by alumni Michael LaPlante and Full Sail Operations Manager, Jessica Vick, we get to hear real stories of networking from business professionals.
LaPlante even says that he, himself, undervalued the importance of networking when he was a student and didn’t actually start networking until years after graduating.
"'Opportunities came in front of me that I never thought would come in front of me' says LaPlante."
Whenever asked what really clicked with his career and when things started to take off for him, LaPlante credits his entrance into the world of networking. He states that going to networking events and getting his face out there was what got him connected with people that could take him to the next stage of his career.
“The more people that know your face, the better.”
He goes on to recount that thanks to his connections with someone in a company he got an interview. However, he was young and arrogant and when asked what he could improve on by the interviewer he answered “nothing” and stated that he was perfect. Needless to say, he didn’t end up getting the job. When the person initially hired for the job was not a cultural fit for the company, that same connection LaPlante had was able to get him another chance and he actually got the job!
LaPlante also suggests that for introverts like himself, it may be a good idea to go to networking events with a goal of how many people to talk to and leave once you meet that goal. If you start doing that, you can slowly get more comfortable and eventually increase that number until you feel comfortable working the room and not having to set a goal for yourself. And more than just networking events, you can be networking with students in other degree programs and making those connections so that when you graduate you have a group of people you know closely that may be able to help you with future projects.
Business cards are also key for networking. If you make a great connection yet don’t have a business card to leave for that person to get in contact with you, it’s very unlikely that that person will remember your name and your face and go out of their way to contact you again. However, a busy business card isn’t a good solution either. LaPlante suggests that you keep your business cards simple and effective. Convey your personal brand enough for people to want to know more and contact you without putting all of that information on your card.
Networking can be hard. But there’s no rule that says you have to start off with the hardest parts of networking first. Start off by making connections with peers and work your way up to networking events when you get comfortable with it. Don’t be afraid that you’re bothering someone who is there to help you, many alumni that come back to Full Sail come back because they want to help so utilize them while they’re here!
To catch the whole panel in its entirety visit the Full Sail University Youtube channel!
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