How to Network More as a Young Adult

Put simply, it is time to learn how to network more. But how do you begin to network more as a young adult? Where do you even begin?

How Do I Start Networking More?

Start with answering, what is it that you want out of life? Who are you trying to become?

To become a renowned professional in your field, start a business, or even just become financially independent? No matter what the end goal is, you need to begin doing research on your dreams.

Begin with finding out who is already where you want to be and actively learn about their journey. The latter is a crucial step that many people overlook, and it is costly to their success. The benefits of finding those who are already where you want to be in life give you potential roadmaps to learn from and progress. The research needs to be about finding your pathway through the lense of another’s. In other words, learn from those who have come before you.

You can retrace the steps of current successors, learning from their mistakes and successes. They will serve as a mentor to you and your own road to success.

But how can you do this research if you do not have people at your personal disposal?

The internet is your friend. A platform like LinkedIn is the ideal place where you can begin studying those who are where you want to be. It has millions of people using its service.

LinkedIn is prime real estate when it comes to finding jobs and staying updated on your interests for free!

There will be at least a handful of individuals who have accomplishments similar to your goals. Reach out to them, follow their pages, inform yourself on their stories and successes. Find what applies to you and use that to give yourself a better chance at reaching your dreams.

For those of you in college, LinkedIn is prime real estate when it comes to finding jobs and staying updated on your interests. If you do not have an account, then create one. You are missing out on the opportunity to connect with like minded individuals and conversing on whatever suits your fancy.

If you are more into the old-fashioned face-to-face networking, then start searching locally and gradually branch out as needed.

Read More: 6 Resume Must-Haves As A Young Professional

Really Try to Talk To People

If you are in school, search out organizations that are related to your goals, speak with your professors, staff, and make use of your school’s career services.

They will either be or know individuals who have similar goals and can introduce you to new contacts. Look into conferences that you can attend related to your goals. Conferences are a melting pot of potential mentors, business partners, and collaborators.

And no, it isn’t impossible because of COVID.

In fact, it is easier than ever before to partake in conferences and network with new people. Think about it. There has been no point in history, where we have had such a plethora of capable technology to virtually meet and converse with anyone in the world in almost an instant.

Plus, because of COVID’s affects a lot conferences are discounting conference costs or waiving the fees all together.

Usually, the admissions fee and the costs of attending in person (i.e. travel, hotel, meals, etc) are the biggest barriers of entry. But they are gone! Take advantage of this!

Read More: Use The STAR Method To Ace Your Next Interview

Seriously, Go Reach Out

Taking the time to do your research. You might be able to land an internship opportunity or job interview just by showing initiative.

You just have to take this first crucial step in learning how to network more.

So, take your goals and dreams and find out who has already accomplished them. Research their story. Learn from it and use the wisdom gained to help you better situate yourself for success.

What are your thoughts? Tell us below!

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Best of luck adulting!

And Remember,

Adulting Starts Here

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