For many of us, the holidays are marked by various celebrations of the prior year’s successes and the promises a new year brings. While, of course, we look forward to visiting with old friends, these events also present opportunities to connect with new people. Whether we are attending formal events or casual get-togethers, external meetings or internal parties, we can make each event more enjoyable and impactful by improving our networking skills.
Networking at the SEMCOG Executive Committee
Do you remember the first time you went to a “networking” event, meeting professionals that you did not know? Perhaps you were wishing you were back in the comfort of your office or checking the time for when it would be over. For most of us, it becomes easier as we get more experience and realize the professional and personal value of meeting people and widening our networks. Communication, collaboration, and self-confidence are essential for success in life and the workplace, but these skills need to be learned. How can we help our youth develop these skills before they leave high school?
Winning Futures, an organization focused on empowering tomorrow’s workforce, recently hosted a Student Networking Mixer with students from Harper Woods High School. This event was part of Winning Futures’ new four-year Workforce Prep Model program for students beginning in 10th grade and continuing into the first year of college. The goal is to help students develop a robust strategic plan for their careers through networking skills, career exposure, company rotations, access to executives, and the opportunity to do a hands-on project with an employer to understand the core business skills needed in any industry. These activities support the recommendations in the SEMCOG/MAC Future Skills report.
As a member of the organization’s Workforce Development Advisory Board, I got to volunteer at the mixer with representatives from about 20 different businesses and organizations, including General Motors, Blue Cross Complete, and FCA. Our goal was to coach students as they participated in a number of different exercises, including speed networking – where they practiced the “big three” – a genuine smile, firm handshake, and making direct eye contact; sharing their personal networking pitch; and asking great questions – while holding a glass of juice and an appetizer. While some students were nervous, others were determined to get the most out of this experience. Several students told me their favorite class was Math and they were interested in careers in technology and medicine. Others talked about wanting to be an entrepreneur.
Harper Woods High School students “practicing” networking
Successful networking is about connecting with people by showing interest and empathy, but this is often easier said than done, and the students got to experience a realistic environment. Some of the coaches were asked to play disinterested professionals looking at their phones, while some were asked to keep talking about themselves. I was very impressed by the students who were able to keep moving the conversation forward despite these obstacles. All of them received coaching on how to expertly handle these situations while networking.
Harper Woods High School students “practicing” networking
While many of us volunteers may think we’re experts in networking, we probably learned as much from this experience as they did. It was quite gratifying to see this now-familiar activity through the fresh eyes of students – knowing that they are our future and it is in our collective interest to support them as they develop these essential skills.
Networking Coaches
As we think about resolutions for the New Year, focusing on improving networking skills will help us make a difference in our personal and professional lives, as well as with the people around us. Mentoring young people, providing opportunities to make connections with employers, and giving them varied learning experiences to develop essential skills will help them see a future in our region, which will help with their professional growth and the continued success of Southeast Michigan.
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