Networking Spotlight with Katelyn Nugent
How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?
It's allowed me to the opportunity to be part of a powerful tribe of incredibly smart, hard working, like-minded people who are equally committed to uplifting each other and provoking innovative thinking.
What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?
1) Tap into both internal and external recruiters and job networks within the industries you're interested in. Follow them, connect with them, host exploratory calls with them.
2) Be vulnerable and have the ability to ask for help, while also being equally as open to helping others
3) Engage! Be authentic about it, but engagement (both offline and online) is critically important. Lean in and be authentically yourself.
In what ways has networking opened doors to new ventures for you?
It has most definitely opened the door to new relationships/friendships, which has in turn caused me to think new opportunities and approaches to my career.
How do you balance online networking with in-person interactions to maximize your connections?
I seek out a combination of both. I have one person in my network whom i meet for coffee in-person every other week. I also have a long-standing mentor who I meet with twice a year in-person. But now more than ever, most of my interactions are over zoom and I do my best to make it as personable as possible.
Share a piece of advice for those who may feel hesitant or shy about networking.
For those who are hesitant or shy, I'd say to take baby steps. Map out a few people (recruiters, past co-workers etc) or brands to reach out to each week, and probably start with people you feel comfortable reaching out to. Ask them for introductions to others within their network to gain confidence and comfort in networking.
How has the colab helped you?
The Co-Lab has introduced me to both local and national like-minded career professionals, all of whom have brought innovative thinking, an open-mind and positivity to my network.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelynnugent/
Instagram: @katenugent
