Assignment
Research the industry of your profession. Try to find any professional organizations, professional journals, social networking about the profession, and local sources. Utilize Career Services to help you gather your research. In a reflection, report on your research and all the networking opportunities available in the industry of your profession. What can you access now as a student? What will you be able to access as a working member of that industry? You will need to provide proof of networking, to include: your involvement in a professional group, student membership, participation in an online environment, and a list of professional contacts.
Your final Networking Concept Map and Reflection package should include: a networking concept map, proof of activity in a professional group, proof of online activity, proof of communication with Career Services, and your written reflection. Note: Your proof of activity/participation/communication could come in many forms, but it should be submitted in an organized fashion. As much as possible, paste screenshots, pictures of physical paraphernalia, e-mail messages, etc. into a Word Document. If you decide not to create your networking concept map in a Microsoft Word document, then you can include your proof of activity/participation/communication as Appendices to your written reflection. Include the names and contact information for all the people, organizations, and businesses you contact.
The following elements should be in your Networking Concept Map and written Reflection:
1. Networking Concept Map
1. Professional group (Rotary, chamber of commerce, SBTDC, etc.) Notes or the name of a contact from attending a meeting in person. Can attend a meeting on campus.
2. Online activity: e-merge, Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau
1. LinkedIn account with professional pictures
2. Industry-specific (Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, websites)
3. Career Services: Proof of communication with Career Services, name of Career Services member
1. Log into your HQConnect account--How can this tool help you to network?
2. Summary of what Career Services does
3. Information on how Career Services can help you with networking
2. Reflection: What is the value for networking? Why is it valuable to me to join a network?