Shakespeare and Networking?

Networking and how it relates in today’s world (Ashley)

My group and I went to the Shakespeare event on networking. At this event my group and I learned about different ways to network. This event was relevant to our culture today because networking influences our daily lives. It is a very powerful tool, but is it too powerful? Networking is a key to getting a job, interview, internship and many other things. These days networking can be done online. This type of networking has gotten more and more popular over the years. There are sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and many more.

Social media has taken over our society today. Social media and networking go hand in hand. I follow the ‘Iowa City Sales’ on Facebook and people sometimes sell their services on there. I have seen photographers promote their business. I have also seen hairstylist offer to sell their services on there as well. Not only can someone sell his or her services, but the public can also post a service they need.

LinkedIn is a professional website kind of like Facebook but for professionals. Employers can view your profile and see you resume. This is nice because it doesn’t have all the extra clutter Facebook has. As an employer you can find exactly what you are looking for.

Yes, social media is important and can be a positive tool but it could also be a negative tool. There is no word too big for your vocabulary. You can re-read an email before you send it. In real life first impressions are everything. If you say something you wish you wouldn’t have said there is no way to take it back. Social media makes our lives easier and they also make us look better. We can make ourselves look like a perfect version of ourselves.

Social media makes us seem more social because we can hide behind a screen and type anything we want to say. Giving us a sense of power and freedom. But is this making us more anti social? There has been research done that proves that by the year 2020 employees would much rather use an instant message or email to talk to an employee rather than face-to-face. This is scary. Networking online you never really know if the person is who they say they are. Networking happens every day. No matter where you are you never know who you will meet. The problem is that these days the younger generations are adapted better to networking online. This could be problematic because once an employer reviews your resume and invites you to an interview this could be more difficult than if you were just used to in person networking. I know many friends of mine that are intimidated by eye contact. They hate looking at people in the eye while they hold a conversation. Isn’t that crazy??? How can someone like that ever nail the career of their dreams? That is the power of the internet these days and the power it can hold over us.

Reasons why networking is good and bad (Jaclyn)

The era that we live in today is based upon the technology that surrounds us. Communication among people today has become talking behind a screen opposed to in person. Because of this, everything is based off of the internet. Being a college student I am constantly thinking about my career after I graduate. With that being said, planning ahead for that means that I need to get my name out there. This is where networking comes into play. It can be peoples best friend or worst enemy because there is work that goes into it. Networking to me would be defined as the development of mutual beneficial relationships. In todays generation with being hired for a job, this system gives employers a first impression of potential candidates.

The benefits of networking are the relationships, ideas, advice, and opportunities that are built. Applying for jobs after college is known to be very competitive, simply because employers of companies rely on networking to decide which candidates are the best. It has become the primary source in finding a job which can be good for some people and not for others. Some people rely on the one on one interview because they are good at speaking and have personality, where others don’t. Some people rely on the information they put down about themselves behind the screen. With finding a job, networking is there to help people have a better understanding of various careers as well as information about numerous companies. Finding a job is a very stressful time for people, but getting involved in the networking world earlier is better than later because you find yourself to be involved in a community of people who support each other. This process is for the people who are willing to take the time to make friendly relationships with others who in the end can lead one to job openings. “It’s not what you know, but who you know” is the most common quote I hear week to week. Before coming to college, my parents told me that I need to get involved with the school as much as I can because building relationships with people can help one in the long run. It is such a great way to keep your head on top of things and keeping yourself motivated during your job search. Networking in many people’s head immediately means getting to know people without actually meeting in person, but little do they know is that networking happens everyday even when you aren’t behind a computer screen. People are networking while talking to the person next to them in line, meeting a friend of a friend, or even catching up with a former co worker. People will go into job hunting feeling like they are alone, but everyone has their own network in which they don’t realize how big it actually is. Writing this has made me realize how many people and relationships I have built over the past couple of years. Think about everyone you know from former jobs, grade school, high school, sports, friends, neighbors, and even casual acquaintances. It is crazy to think of all the relationships that have been built in my life already, and it is crazy to think about all the new ones I will have in the future.


There are many ways to networking (Chanel)
There are various types of networking in today's society. Social networking is the most popular way to network in today's society. There are many different websites used such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Myspace, Snapchat, and other websites. These social media sites can be accessed from laptops, desktop computers, cell phones, and tablets which means they can be accessed 24/7. Social networking expands the number of businesses and social contacts. They build relationships with other people that share common interest, backgrounds, activities, or real life connections. Social networking is used by businesses to promote their products.

By: Jaclyn, Chanel, and Ashley