Northcentral University

Networking As a student and a professional, doubtlessly you've been told networking is necessary. You know that, both in theory and in practice, it can be vital to building up your brand, business, and clientele pool, to say nothing of helping you gain jobs and the professional experience you need and want. But what if the idea of making small-talk with people (strangers, at that!) and working a room seems unappealing? What if you're an introvert and the last thing you want to do after your school day and workday is to interact with more people? What if the summation of a perfect night at a social event is "I came; I saw; I left early"? There are ways to cultivate opportunities for networking for those who prefer to regain energy through solitary means rather than chatting it up in a crowd. Setting time aside to recharge before attending a networking event is one way to satisfy the need for quiet and alone time and refresh for social interactions. In The Ultimate Networking Guide for Introverts, Natalia Autenrieth suggests practicing your own tried-and-true methods for relaxing both before and after a social event. She also recommends focusing on "[making] one or two meaningful connections" rather than trying to canvass the whole room. Similarly, superconnector Jon Levy writes that seeking out and creating opportunities which are naturally more geared towards smaller groups can be a less-intimidating and less-wearing experience for introverts. Attending events with a trusted colleague or friend who is already friendly with other attendees—or who has a more extroverted personality—can also help introverts break into networking. Having someone to introduce you can reduce some of the stress of approaching other professionals and & INTROVERTS: LEVERAGING YOUR STRENGTHS Honora Bullock, MA Department Manager, School of Business Setting time aside to recharge before attending a networking event is one way to satisfy the need for quiet and alone time and refresh for social interactions. 7

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