Networking is an opportunity to interact and build relationships with people, exchange information and ideas.

Every opportunity to interact with people is a networking opportunity.

BENEFITS OF NETWORKING

1. Building relationships
2. Allow access to new information
3. Collaborations
4. Grow your network
5. Share knowledge
6. Gather career advice and find out about career opportunities

Networking can be formal and informal but mostly informal social setting.

Determine what you want to learn.

Networking opportunities may occur at trade shows, seminars, conferences, career fairs, alumni events, etc.

Research shows that people with stronger networks end up with higher salaries and promoted more. 

Networking also happens on online,  LinkedIn is the largest professional social media platform.  They have over 1 billion members.  It provides opportunities for people to engage with other professionals, join groups, post, and share information.  

An elevator pitch is a short (30-60 second) professional introduction.  You can have more than one elevator pitch for different setting.

Elevator Pitch should consist of your name, what you are doing now, what you are seeking, what you have done in the past, what you have to offer, what you are desiring to accomplish in the future, what make you unique and what do you want a person to remember about you.  

TIPS:

1. If you enter into a space/room, say HELLO.
2. Find a common interest, talk about the event, the food, the place it is being held at, etc.

CHALLENGES:

Make a list of everyone you know.  write their name, email address, phone numbers, your relationship (classmates, co-worker/teammate, neighbors, church members, etc.) what they do for a living,