Organizations & People
From attending events to connecting online, networking helps professionals build meaningful relationships in their industry that can open the door to opportunity. Here, six local leaders who work closely with the community offer insight on the importance of networking, as well as actionable advice.
Relationships create context, trust, and visibility, and those things often open doors before opportunity is ever formally announced. Networking is not about collecting contacts; it is about building relationships that support long-term growth in any industry.
Be intentional with follow-up and thoughtful engagement. A simple message after meeting someone, acknowledging the conversation and expressing openness to future collaboration, helps establish continuity without overpromising. Following connections on professional social platforms allows you to stay aware of their progress and creates natural opportunities for meaningful conversation when you reconnect. For relationships with strong alignment, scheduling one-on-one time allows for deeper, more focused dialogue than a crowded networking event.
Early in a career, building a network starts with curiosity and showing up. Job shadowing, professional groups, and community events create entry points into industries you may still be exploring, allowing you to listen, ask questions, and begin forming relationships long before you feel fully established.
While technology and AI have expanded how we connect, they have also increased the value of personal, in-person relationships. Being able to engage all of your senses when meeting someone face to face creates a depth of connection that digital platforms cannot replace, which has made in-person networking feel more important than ever. At the same time, the digital world has broadened access in powerful ways, allowing visibility across cities, states, and even internationally without the cost or logistics of travel. When used thoughtfully, it does not replace human connection but extends it, creating more entry points for relationships that can later be strengthened in meaningful, real-world ways.
Effective networking should be aligned with your end goal. If you are looking to build visibility within a specific region or industry, your focus should reflect that. Attending a thoughtful mix of events, such as educational sessions, casual coffee gatherings, and after-hours mixers, allows you to connect with different groups of people who may not all operate on the same schedules. This variety helps broaden your reach without relying on the same circles or hosts.
Networking is not about being perfect or polished, it’s about being present and consistent. When you allow yourself time to grow, show up prepared, and stay intentional, meaningful connections tend to form naturally.
Tasia Malakasis
Networking is important because opportunities rarely happen in isolation; they come through people. Strong relationships expand your perspective, open doors you didn’t know existed, and often accelerate growth faster than going it alone.
You can be proactive by showing up consistently – attending industry events, joining professional communities, volunteering for committees, and saying yes to conversations that spark curiosity. Networking isn’t about waiting for an invitation; it’s about engaging where meaningful work and people already gather.
Authenticity paired with attentiveness. People remember how you made them feel, so listening well, being genuinely interested, and being curious.
Relationships are strengthened through follow-up and reciprocity. Staying in touch, sharing relevant opportunities, and offering help turns a one-time interaction into a lasting professional connection.
Networking has been foundational to my career, from opening leadership opportunities to enabling partnerships that simply wouldn’t have happened otherwise. Nearly every meaningful milestone I’ve reached can be traced back to a trusted relationship.
The digital age has made networking more accessible and continuous, removing geographic barriers and allowing relationships to develop despite distance. While technology makes introductions easier, trust and credibility are still built through consistent, human engagement.
Early in a career, networking starts with curiosity and contribution – asking questions, seeking mentors, and getting involved beyond formal job requirements. Being reliable and eager to learn naturally attracts people who want to support your growth.
Donna “Elle” Harrison
Networking is about letting people understand how you can help others, serve the community, and add value. Through those connections, you can build meaningful relationships with like-minded individuals who share your goals and interests, while also finding people you can lean on – both personally and professionally.
Understand that relationships must be reciprocated. Whether it’s a mentor, mentee, or peer, both people have a responsibility to reach out and add value. Connection shouldn’t be one-sided. Maintaining relationships can be simple – a quick email, a text checking in, or asking how someone or their family is doing. Those small, intentional touches matter. Ongoing relationships of any kind aren’t just about work; they’re about genuine care, consistency, and showing up for people beyond the professional moment.
The best way to start building a network early in your career is to get out there and keep showing up. Find new places, attend events even when it feels uncomfortable, and don’t be afraid to go by yourself – that often forces you to engage and start conversations. Seek out locations and events that are diverse and outside of your usual groups. Those spaces help you grow, see new perspectives, and build broader connections.
The impact of the digital age on networking really depends on how an individual chooses to use it. For content creators, digital platforms can spark conversations and create natural entry points when you walk into a room. Because media has always been part of my background, I’ve consistently used some form of storytelling or content as a conversation starter. For others, digital tools can become a crutch, replacing in-person communication rather than enhancing it. For me, the digital age has opened more doors and placed me in more rooms – but only because it’s been used intentionally. When utilized the right way, digital platforms expand access, visibility, and opportunity, while still making space for meaningful, human connection.
It starts with understanding that networking isn’t just about work. It’s about finding groups and spaces that highlight your gifts and allow you to help others thrive. When you align yourself with organizations and communities that reflect what you love, opportunities naturally follow. I network in spaces and at events that genuinely excite me. Earlier in my career, I said yes to everything, and that actually limited my growth. I learned that being intentional – showing up in rooms that align with my values, passions, and purpose – creates deeper, more meaningful connections.
Networking matters because nearly everything we do involves other people, and networking is a great way to create opportunities, establish and maintain important relationships, advance your career, grow personally, make better friendships, and impact your community. You tap into more resources and opportunities when you connect with others.
Be visible, prepared, and intentional. I’m still old school when it comes to always having business cards in my pocket and giving them to the people I meet. Make a point of getting their information and following up. Keeping track of who you’ve met and what you’ve learned is essential. Using contact management software empowers you to build and manage a larger, more active network.Staying in touch on a periodic basis is important, as is offering introductions, links, sharing, and liking, without asking them for anything. Pay it forward often so when you need an appointment or a connection, you’re solid for asking. What goes around comes around.
Be fully present. Introduce yourself confidently with eye contact and a firm handshake, be relaxed, and have a friendly facial expression. Ask thoughtful questions and listen to understand and remember.
Find out what other people need and help them get it. Make a habit of thinking about who needs to connect with the people you are meeting, then make an introduction as a follow up. Connect on LinkedIn and like, comment on, share, or repost their content. Be on the lookout for opportunities to celebrate milestones or find information you can share with them. Dale Carnegie said the sweetest sound to another person is hearing their own name. I guess what that means to me is that remembering what’s important to others and who they are works to both their advantage and yours.
Every job in my career was the result of my networks and word of mouth coming back to me, so it has led to some fantastic professional experiences and opportunities. I’ve received some great advice from people I asked to help me. I feel great when I know I’ve made a difference for someone else, and it makes those extra efforts worthwhile.
Networking is important because meaningful work is done through meaningful relationships. It opens doors to resources, knowledge, partnerships, and opportunities that you typically can’t access in isolation.
When a relationship is worth investing in, it grows through intentional actions such as checking in, celebrating others’ wins, offering support, and making thoughtful introductions. Simply put, be a friend before you need a friend.
Early in a career, networking should focus on learning, listening, and building character. Seeking mentors, asking thoughtful questions, volunteering, and being dependable all help establish trust. A strong network is built by showing up consistently and leading with integrity, even before a title is attached to your name. It’s also important to look for people you can serve, not just people who can help you.
The digital age has made networking easier and more accessible than ever. It allows us to stay connected, share ideas, and build relationships with people we might never meet otherwise. At the same time, it can take away from real human connection if we’re not intentional about how we use it. When used well, digital tools can be a great support for networking. Social media, email, and video calls help maintain relationships across distance, but they work best when they complement, not replace, genuine interaction. A thoughtful message still means more than a quick like, and a real conversation often carries more weight than an emoji.
Being proactive means showing up with intention and a willingness to serve. Networking opportunities exist anywhere people are gathered around shared goals. When you lead with service, opportunities often present themselves naturally. Whether it’s community events, nonprofit boards, industry gatherings, or your local church, approaching spaces with the mindset of “How can I add value?” rather than “What can I get?” makes networking more genuine. When service is the starting point, relationships feel meaningful instead of transactional.
Remember that networking is ultimately about people, not transactions. The most successful networkers I know are those who genuinely care about others and look for ways to add value to every relationship. When you approach networking with generosity and authenticity, you’ll build a community that supports not just your career goals but your whole life.
Evann Freeman
Networking is about relationship building. You’re stepping outside of your comfort zone to meet new people. Ultimately, networking builds a bridge to get things done with people you know and trust.
People form an impression before you ever speak, so how you carry yourself matters. Be confident in your presence and your body language. Make eye contact, be clear about who you are, and keep it simple. Having a short intro you’ve practiced helps, but the real key is being genuinely interested in the other person. Listening goes a long way!
The secret sauce is to follow up. You can email or write a handwritten note referencing something personal from the conversation. It shows you’re interested in continuing the relationship and making a lasting connection.
Show up to everything! Identify careers or sectors you want to be part of and find ways to get involved. There are a lot of resources available online, from trade associations to chambers of commerce and young professional organizations. The key is to be present and engaged. Be willing to learn and listen.
My career has been shaped by personal relationships more than anything else. Technology helped make introductions, but trust was built through real conversations and time spent together. Some of the most meaningful moments have come from sitting across from someone, understanding their challenge, and helping connect them to the right solution.
Networking never stops. It isn’t just at events; it’s something you do every day. It shows up in how you treat people, how you follow up, and how you build trust over time. Every conversation is an opportunity to strengthen a relationship.
