Networking 101- Omar Abdel Salam

I went to a career workshop at star in room 2-190. I was nervous at first since there was many other students outside our LC, including some sophmores, juniors and seniors. I had never been to a career exploration workshop so I didnt know what to expect. This workshop was from 12:30 – 2:30 and I didnt know what we were going to do for two hours. Our workshop leader was named June and was very nice. At first we signed in and filled out a worksheet with several questions about people that are important in our lives. It was very awkward at first and I was pretty nervous because there were so many new people in the room.

The first activity, managed to make me lose that nervousness. June seperated us into groups that related us with each other such as the boroughs we were from, our age, our favorite ice cream, and we would introduce ourselves to others within our groups so we would get to know each other. After this activity I began to become comfortable as I managed to exchange names with several people in the room.

June then began lecturing us about networking and how important it is. It turned out that networking is the way a lot of people get their jobs. I was surprised to learn about how important marketing actually was. June explained to us several ways of networking, such at certain business parties. She also told us about LINKEDIN a website like facebook, but for business networking. I thought this website would be helpful for future purposes.

Later, we did another introduction activity in which we would share information about ourselves and if someone shared a similarity they would say me too and you would hold one end of the piece of yarn and toss the other to that person and then they would share information about themselves and this would go on and on until everyone in the class shared something about themself. This activity was to show the connection between all of us and how many of us shared similar interests.

June then continued to lecture and explained to us the importance of business cards. She showed us how to accept business cards and to not put them in our pockets but hold on to them as a sign of respect. I thought this was helpful because this was never told to me before.

By the end of the workshop I was surprised about how helpful it actually was. I learned many things I will need for the future. I may actually decide to go to more of this workshops and utilize the information I learn in them and apply them into my life when looking for a job. I honestly enjoyed going to this workshop.