Benefits of Networking for First Generation Professionals
“Networking is the No.1 unwritten rule of success in business.” – Sallie Krawcheck
What is networking?
Networking is the process of connecting to, and nurturing relationships with, people who can provide support, advice, opportunities, or resources to help you achieve personal or professional goals. Types of networks could include academic - those you go to school with or who are studying your subject matter at different schools, professional - those you meet at work, at conferences, industry events, or simply through LinkedIn, or even social - those in your peer group, friends of your friends, those in your hobby, community, or religious circles. All networks have value and are important to your personal and professional development. For the purposes of this Article, we will be focusing on professional networking, but FGPM encourages you to find and foster as many networks as you can.
Why is networking important?
Networking will be essential to growing your influence or growing your career, no matter the industry. It allows you to make meaningful connections with future peers, clients, knowledge partners, collaborators, sponsors, donors, and sometimes close friends. It is also one of the key ways to find employment; networking offers the unique opportunities to get in front of people to whom you would otherwise not have access, such as industry leaders, and higher ups in companies. It allows you to leave a positive impression on future interviewers, in a much more casual setting than an interview. It allows you to give and gain information on your field and show potential employers how you carry yourself. It allows people to get interested in you and what you have to say.
As you progress through your career, networking will become an essential way to expand your professional circle. For example, legal professionals may use networking to connect with law firm counsel who have expertise different than their own, meet peers’ peers and mentors, and find new people with whom they can collaborate on academic or personal projects. It is also a fantastic way to find new board or volunteer opportunities if you are interested in pursuing non-profit volunteerism. Eventually, when you see the same people at the same conferences and events over the course of your career, you may even become close friends.
As far as personal development, the practice of networking allows a unique environment for very specific skills development. While it may seem like networking is simply making small talk while eating cold finger food, it is actually an opportunity to practice active listening, effective communication, substantive knowledge building, and building a solid reputation in your industry.
Let’s now discuss why networking is especially important as a first generation professional.
networking allows access to opportunities
As you will find in your career, some job opportunities and career advancements are not posted publicly. They often come through word-of-mouth or personal referrals. Networking is one of the best ways to level the playing field of insight and visibility to these hidden job markets and increase your chances of finding roles or projects that align with your goals. You will also have opportunities to advocate for yourself in real time or make a connection directly with a decisionmaker, which will set you apart during the interview process.
As you advance in your career, networking provides an opportunity to get key industry insights and find out the desirable skillsets for the next phase of your career journey. This can sometimes be the differentiating factor between you and another competitive candidate.
networking builds credibility and visibility
As a first-generation professional, you may not automatically be recognized as someone with experience, especially if you're entering industries where networking is key to advancement. Networking can make you more visible to key decision-makers, potential employers, and collaborators. By interacting with others, sharing your expertise, and offering value, you can build credibility in your field. Remember that you have unique experience and perspective to offer and people want to hear what you have to say.
Networking is an opportunity to build community with other first generation professionals
Being a first gen can sometimes feel isolating, especially if you're one of the few in your field from your background. Networking helps you find like-minded individuals, which is important for resilience and motivation. Even if you do not share your entire journey, just knowing that there are other first generation professional who are showing up and making their presence known can be helpful, even comforting, in a new environment.
networking builds confidence, both in yourself and your expertise.
As a first-generation professional, you may face self-doubt or imposter syndrome. Do I belong in this room? What can I offer this conversation? Just by showing up and taking up space in the room, you will eventually develop comfort with the small talk, which turns into comfort to share your own opinions, and when that is then validated, share more of your personality.
And finally, mentorship can offer direct connections to first generation mentors or role models in your industry
As a first-generation professional, you might not have family members, or other connections, who are already familiar with the dynamics of your industry or career path. Networking allows you to connect with new people who can provide valuable career advice, insights, and direction.
A good mentor can help you navigate challenges, make informed career decisions, and give you confidence in unfamiliar situations from a place of experience, whether thats negotiating salary, managing office politics, or handling work-life balance.
In our next article, we will explore best practices for networking.
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