How To Husstle: How You Can Build Your Professional Network

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Is social currency valuable? In today's world, societal values fluctuate more than the Dow Jones. The raging bull or ringing bell does not symbolize the Societal Value Exchange. Instead, it is the number of likes or followers a person has. After all, isn't someone more credible if others follow their account or like what they post? If society finds value in quantitative metrics, then 99.9999% of people operate in the red as their social currency balance does not represent the value a person brings.

(Image courtesy of media from Wix.)

Late Millenials and Early Gen Z mirror Gen X's appreciation of apathy. After all, no one wants to try too hard. In the ideal Late Millennial or Gen Z world, a person's network would result from childhood connections and exciting experiences. I know Cory Matthews from middle school or Sabrina Spellman, and I studied aboard in Spain. Yet, for almost the past 2ish years, our lives have shifted to a virtual format. It's hard to experience future funny stories with people who only know you as a floating face on a computer. As we return to a new normal, society is relearning networking. Consequently, students and young professionals need to rosetta stone to learn how to network. I want to give you some pointers on how to build your professional network.

(Image courtesy of media from Wix.)

1. It's never too early to start a LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is similar to a Roth IRA. It's never too early to invest in it. Many students and young professionals do not view LinkedIn as a social media platform. But I want to give you a new perspective. A person's LinkedIn shows potential employers that they can grow an industry network, stay up to date with industry happenings, and learn new skills.

(image courtesy of Shutterstock. Image depicts Linkedin business social networking platform logo on blue background.)

2. Utilize your school's alum network

When you are trying to network, scheduling a time to chat is easier if you have some common ground. Even if that person graduated in the 1970s and you are a freshman, a school's tradition, sports, and architecture are great ways to create and cement relationships.

(Image courtesy of me)