"Speed Networking"

Ten to twelve students huddled attentively around a speaker, hanging on his every word. What do you suppose is going on? Well, these students are networking. And I am most likely one of them.  Over the years I have found myself hearing the words "networking" and "network" more frequently. Everywhere I go I am bombarded with messages of strengthening my social, professional and global networks. This is especially true in the business community, where at times everything seems to depend on who you know. As a business student, I have sat in many classrooms where networking has been the subject of discussion. These discussions are more like lectures about the vital importance of building a strong network, which will ultimately further  my or any student's career.


For myself the idea of networking has been taken to a whole new inconceivable level because of the rigorous job search process I face as a cooperative education student. The process involves going to information sessions and  "networking" events held to help students connect to prestigious employers. I like to think of these events as being synonymous to speed dating. You try to gather as much information about the person or company as possible in the short span of time, while also trying desperately to leave a favorable impression. You are speed networking.  At these events networking takes on a somewhat aggressive meaning due to the incredibly low ratio of about 40 company personnel to 350 students. It is not uncommon to find ten to twelve students crowded around one company personnel, who is going on incessantly about how company XYZ is the perfect place to build a career. Students listen eagerly while waiting for the opportunity to say something absolutely brilliant or ask the genius question they've prepared for days. All this in hopes of leaving a memorable impression.Students endure many of hours of small talk to person after person asking the same rehearsed questions,collecting business cards and acting interested as they hear the same generic answers in the same dull and uncharismatic tone. When one conversation ends, another begins with the same old process of showing interest, saying a brilliant comment and hopefully leaving a favorable impression. However, there are a few times where students do end up talking to some very interesting people, whose eyes glimmer with passion as they talk about their jobs. Though rare, it is these people who make the "networking" process bearable and at times enjoyable. After each networking event comes the internal struggle within every student of whether or not to take networking to the next step by emailing the company personnel they've met. This process of "speed networking" although very tiresome and not very effective in teaching students how to build actual networks, is a kick start in the creation of a student's professional and global network. As students collect business card after business card, they all pile up as memorabilia of the event's they've attended ,as a measure of their "networking" skills and as a measure of the network they could possibly have in the future.