networking

Yesterday's entry came from my professorial persona. Today's is from my department events coordinator one. Chapter 6 emphasizes the importance of relationships and networking in the workplace. About 2 weeks ago the department hosted COMM Career Day, which I organized. Over 50 students attended. The panel included a representative from the Career Center and five communication studies alumni. Every speaker talked about the importance of networking to get a job and to change jobs within an organization. Speakers mentioned using internships, interviews (informational and employment), professional organizations, and even social contacts for networking.

As the authors of your text observe, "Much of the research on relationships at work has focused on their instrumental role in career success--the networks that people form and the role of those networks in advancing careers" (p. 141). The authors then point out that organization members form relationships for other reasons as well. Still, the workplace context will always influence the nature of those relationships. For example, I've maintained friendships with many of the people with whom I went to graduate school at the U of Kentucky. We have personal connections, such as visiting each other outside the work context and talking about topics other than work. But we keep those professional ties as well, working together on projects, serving on panels, and meeting up at conventions. For example, I found out about the text I use for the class from Ted Zorn, one of the authors, because we both went to UK and we're part of a network of UK grads.

~ Professor Cyborg