Student Workshop 2 : How to network in a genuine way with Greg Fields | Ambition In Motion

Ambition In Motion leverages horizontal mentorship to help professionals elevate their work skills and break through communication barriers.
Ambition In Motion's core values are: be growth-oriented, people first, empower efficient leaders, be data-driven, and have integrity and vulnerability.
Ambition In Motion's vision is a world where the vast majority of people are excited to go to work, when they are there their expectations meet reality, and when they come home they feel fulfilled.
Ambition In Motion has programs for companies to match their internal employees together for horizontal mentorship (within departments, across departments, within special interest groups, for onboarding employees, identifying emerging leaders, upskilling middle managers, etc.), for professional associations to match their members together for mentorship, and for executives to connect them with other executives outside of their company for mentorship.
Learn more here: ambition-in-mo...

[@tisawashington7469]

I thrive on connecting with people through networking events, whether online or in person, and it’s been a great way to build relationships. Recently, I’ve shifted more towards online networking, and I’ve been really enjoying the experience. When it comes to building rapport with colleagues, honesty and integrity are my guiding principles. I believe that strong communication is essential to ensure everyone is aligned and working toward the same goals. Effective communication fosters understanding and helps build lasting, productive relationships. As for my workplace identity, I want to be seen as someone who is highly motivated and consistently willing to go the extra mile. I’m always ready to learn, take on new challenges, and pursue growth with ambition. I aim to be known as someone with the drive to succeed someone who is fully committed to achieving excellence and making things happen. Curtisa W.

[@madeleinemccreary736]

1. I really enjoy attending seminars hosted by my university and presented by visiting faculty member. I actively listen during their presentation and try to ask questions about their research afterwards. Showing genuine interest in what someone else is passionate about is critical to build a true relationship. 2. To build and maintain genuine connections I try and balance the professional conversations with personal conversations to build a relationship not just as coworkers but people who care about the entirety of the other person. If you only invest time or care about what the other person can provide professionally it's not a genuine connection. 3. I want to be known as a dedicated individual who is passionate about what I work on. As someone pursuing a career in research, I want my passion and excitement about what I work on to shine through.

[@shirbillioncraven4500]

Strategy, story, and state. Purpose as a strategy for yourself and others is always a good thing to focus on during those genuine networking meetings. Take an interest in the purpose that is driving others around you in the same way we are interested and drawn to what aligns with our purpose. Take the opportunity to share the information that enters your story but is beneficial to the purpose of others. Sharing like this has the potential to stabilize your state and the state of others in the process. These are my goals related to networking effectively by 1. Strategizing, 2. Owning my story while appreciating that of others, and 3. Being aware of my state and the state of others.

[@SharanyaRajani-w6d]

1. An opportunity I am usually excited about is connecting with guest speakers at my college events, they are usually really helpful and have great insights to share. 2. I want to focus on keeping in touch with all the different people I have met since it is easy to get caught up in everyday life and just forget about networking 3. At my workplace, I like being known as supportive and compassionate. I also want to known as someone who is a good listener and can get things done

[@GayatriLakshmi-r6r]

When connecting with professionals, I enjoy attending industry seminars, webinars, and workshops to expand my network and knowledge base. I find that engaging in these events sparks interesting conversations and allows me to form connections through shared learning experiences. I like to extend conversations beyond the topic to explore more about there areas of interest. To bond with colleagues, I love organizing or participating in creative activities like brainstorming sessions, team-building workshops, and informal meet-ups, and club activities in my university. I also enjoy attending after-hours events like club-fairs, game nights and university events where we can exchange ideas in a relaxed environment. My workplace identity revolves around being a continuous learner who thrives on getting new insights from others. I aim to be seen as someone who brings fresh insights from these experiences to the team. While I enjoy staying innovative and ambitious, I balance that with downtime by participating in activities that recharge my creativity.

[@erinwall2518]

1) I think it’s a unique opportunity to meet with past sports alumni. I’ve had the pleasure of being able to connect with old teammates and through them, I was able to broaden my network. Another unique opportunity is talking with and expanding into different colleges within my university. Many people network within the department, but I have been allowed to engage in discussions with professors in different colleges. This has helped expand my network and curiosity about different industries and jobs. 2) I would like to build my active listening skills set. I struggle with not thinking of my next reply or looking for my opening to say something. I also struggle with remembering facts after our conversation. I want to do a better job at remembering the little things about people. 3) I want to be supportive and reliable. I want to be someone who people can trust to remain calm in times of chaos and be proactive in problem-solving.

[@SarahArrowood]

We talked about our education history and employment in the field. We just spent time getting to know one another. It was great, and I'm excited to continue working with both of my mentors.

[@ShrigunMaroo]

1. A unique opportunity for me to connect with professionals is when guest speakers come to our university. 2. To build more genuine relationships, I would get to know them as people, not just coworkers. 3. I wanna be someone people can rely on and come to when they need help.

[@kyleowlett7771]

1. One connection that I currently want to make and am working on making is a connection with someone in clinical engineering because it is an attractive role that I just recently learned about and that I believe I could be good at. 2. I build and maintain genuine connections by simply putting the time and listening into the relationship. I am by no means a social expert so the one thing I can always control is the effort and attitude that I put into building the relationship. 3. I strive to be the helpful person and understanding person in the work place. I am always looking to maximize the benefits that I bring and minimize the harm that I bring. My strength that I use to maximize my benefits is my fast learning capability and commitment to continuous improvement. My strength that I use to minimize my harm is I am good at being curious rather than combative and understanding people instead of conflicting with them.

[@douglasm4955]

1). Taking the step and reaching out to my schools alumi base, and honor societies member base. And interview the ones in my current field and possibly future field with higher education. 2). Being an active listen is key for life. This helps builds relationship by showing care ans concern without saying much. For me, I want to be known for some who is not a good listener, but also known as a "fountain" and not just a drain. 3). I wanna be known as a genuine hard worker, who is a team player and willing to give 110% to anything in working on. Also want to be known as a leader not just a follower or regular face in the crowd.

[@sakhilemathunjwa4575]

1. My school has an upcoming speed networking event that I plan on taking advantage of. I want to use it as a way to honest, genuine impressions and hopefully make meaningful connections 2. I would like to work to put myself out there more confidently. I am relatively reserved and shy, so I have the goal to put myself out there more, strike up more conversations and generally just try to overthink less. 3. In the work place I want to be seen as the 'introverted extrovert' that Greg described. I want to build my social skills and have the skills at the back of my pocket for when I need them, but never overdo it.

[@JenievaBlack]

In the Spring, my university is hosting a "Meet the Professionals in Healthcare" event where current healthcare workers will share their experiences as students and contributors to their fields. Over the past few months, I have learned how the journey to medical school really is unique for everyone, and so I am looking forward to this event because it will provide me with the opportunity to learn about various routes that people have taken to still achieve the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor.

[@JenievaBlack]

I think that I can check in with people more often. When I make a good connection with people, I do enjoy asking them questions about themselves and their interests, but sometimes once those conversations end, I don't necessarily check in as often because I don't want to bother them. However when I do make the effort to check in, we usually end up having a good conversation. I want to work on quieting the voice that says "I'm bothering that person" and just be bold and start a conversation once more.

[@JenievaBlack]

In the workplace, I want to be someone who is skilled at their job, but also someone who my coworkers know that they can trust. Especially in the healthcare profession, you have to be able to go into "science mode" and take care of your patients, but the human component is equally as essential. I want to be able to check in with coworkers, remember their birthdays, and know that we have each other's backs because we treat each other with compassion. The same goes for the relationships that I want to have with my patients.

[@arthurutecht7511]

1. I often pass a professor who I haven't contacted in a while, but who I saw in office hours while taking his class and who was willing to right a letter of recommendation. I can ask him about his research and classes he is currently teaching. 2. I can have more conversations with those around me by initiating more conversations and listening/remembering. 3. I want to be a person who builds positive relationships, takes independent action, and is open to collaboration. Thank you for providing these workshops! I find the ideas in them personally somewhat challenging, but extremely actionable, often unique, and much easier to act on after answering the questions.

[@MasonWilson22]

1. One opportunity I’d like to pursue during my collegiate experience to amplify my career outcome is reaching out to professors in regards to laboratory research, not only for research experience, but also to network further with these professors than class. 2. To build more genuine relationships with those in my office, I’d like to focus on being more open and approachable. Since I tend to be reserved, especially in new environments, I want to work on initiating more casual conversations and engaging with colleagues outside of strictly work-related discussions. Additionally, I aim to actively listen and show more interest in others' experiences and ideas, which can foster trust and mutual understanding. 3. In the workplace, I want to be someone who is reliable, collaborative, and impactful. I strive to be a dependable team member who consistently delivers high-quality work, meets deadlines, and takes responsibility for tasks. At the same time, I aim to be a leader yet still approachable and supportive, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment where colleagues feel comfortable sharing ideas or seeking help.

[@nickwhitten1416]

1. One unique way I meet with professionals in my field is by attending campus events. I go to these events to listen to the speakers and ask them questions during and after the event. Last year I participated in a science event that was relevant to my field. Though I had no experience, I asked the speakers about their work experience and what I must do to improve in the sciences. This helped as I'm in the chemistry field and the speakers asked me to keep them posted. 2. What I can do to build better relationships in the workspace is to be more social. I don't talk much. I want to improve this by greeting my Professors and classmates more. Also, I Relate to Mr.Fields as when I get to know people I open up as well. 3. In the workplace I want to be an analyst. I want to be the guy who people come to if they need something fact-checked or genuine advice. I see this role as someone reliable, honest, and comfortable with people with no bias.

[@griffinandrews1526]

1. My research professor has allowed me to travel to Sweden to work on research. This will be a great opportunity to network with students and faculty members in a natural setting. 2. I would love to work on being able to build deeper connections. I find it simple to create surface level connections, but exponentially more difficult to go beyond that. 3. In the workplace, I want to be known as someone who can give a new perspective to the problems at hand. I have no issue giving ideas that can build off of what has already been workshopped, or starting problems over again from scratch.

[@makenziefalduto1126]

1. To build more genuine relationships, I'd like to form better relationships with my professors. One way right now I'm creating relationships is that I'm a part of the CFA society in my town. 2. I want to become more confident. I am getting better at this because I used to be shy, but now I'm becoming the first person who asks or answers a question. 3. In the workplace, I want to be someone who actively listens, asks questions, and learns.

[@jackmenninger4232]

1. I think this is a really unique opportunity to meet professionals. My mentor is a great example, I never thought I'd be doing a program like this with a personal mentor who I get to have regular meetings with 2. I think it is essential to be a great listener if you want to build genuine connections in the workplace. Listen to what your peers have to say and you will learn much more than if you are always trying to show off the knowledge you have. 3. I want to be known as someone who is open minded, trying new strategies to solve problems and always trying to expand my perspective.

[@jobboonstoppel9472]

Hey everyone! First off, thank you to Garrett and Greg for such an insightful and engaging workshop. I really appreciate all the valuable advice. In terms of the first question, one unique opportunity I’m excited to pursue is leveraging the strong network my business professors have. They are incredibly experienced and always willing to help, so I’m going to ask for an introduction to someone in the New York venture capital scene, as that’s where I’d love to kickstart my career. As for building more genuine relationships in the workplace, I want to focus on being more open-minded, positive, and a better listener. Whether it’s with teammates, colleagues, or classmates, I want to make sure I’m understanding their perspectives and connecting with them on a deeper level. Lastly, in the workplace, I aim to be known as the intelligent, kind, and efficient person people look up to. I want to build a reputation for getting the job done while fostering a supportive and positive work environment. Thanks again for the great workshop!

[@melissawillis9452]

1. One way I've been able to make connections is through campus involvement. I was in leadership for a professional organization at my school and was in charge of gathering volunteers for on-campus K-12 outreach events. Having to reach out to the professors coordinating these events opens up a line of communication, and they are usually very involved and helpful in other aspects of the college as well. I'm hoping to volunteer at another of these events next week. 2. I want to work on being more outgoing and developing my conversational skills. I am naturally a more quiet person, but I am a good listener and genuinely enjoy a conversation once it's started. I would like to practice getting through the "icebreaker" phase. 3. I want to be dependable and a problem solver in the workplace. I want to be consistent in achieving my goals, and I would like to create an environment where people feel comfortable coming to me for support or advice. Melissa Willis

[@ZachPierro]

1) One opportunity that I can take advantage of is that there is a consulting company visiting my school this month. I can go to their campus visit and inquire about their programs allowing me to get my foot in the door. I also met a person who connected me with someone who might go. 2) I need to remember people's names and any little information they give me. Whether it is the name of their dog or their child, remembering that little piece of information and bringing it up later says a lot about a person and is a great impression. 3) I want to be the person at work that everyone likes to talk to and knows that I can get my work done. i want my coworkers to know they can always rely on me to brighten up their day and make their jobs easier. Doing this makes me a better person internally and to everyone else.

[@DhruvShah-u2q]

1. I attend campus events to connect with professionals, using them as opportunities to ask questions and seek mentorship. Last year, at a science symposium, I gained practical advice from experts who encouraged me to stay in touch. These experiences pushed me to grow in confidence and clarity on my career path. 2. I’m working on being more present by engaging warmly with those around me, even through small gestures like greetings and listening intently. Building trust takes consistency, and by focusing on genuine connections, I hope to create a supportive network over time. 3. I see myself as a project strategist, focused on guiding projects with a clear vision. I’d bring teams together, encourage collaboration, and bridge communication gaps to ensure we meet our goals in a way that builds trust and maximizes each team member’s strengths.

[@Happy-kq1yd]

1. I like to attend career fairs and meetings with my research mentors in order to get more knowledge on my field, as well as people to reach out to. 2. My approach is to keep friendships and connections consistent. By regularly engaging with them, I build a sense of comfort and trust between us. I do this with as many people as possible. 3. I view myself as a hardworking individual, someone who's willing to put in the extra time and effort to figure things out and go above and beyond in my work.

[@Happy-kq1yd]

This is Meenakshi Manikandan:)

[@fatimaochoa2371]

1. I connect with others professionally by making relationships with my teachers and joining communities through social media. I attend virtually college which sometimes makes it hard to be integrated and make connections but I actively join social media groups of people in similar careers and people who have similar interests as me. I also take advantage of the ability to message my teachers as they have flexible and available schedules that allow me to pray with them, speak about any concerns, and get to know them more in virtual events. 2. To build more relationships with colleagues, I will greet them each morning whenever I see them. Just acknowledging their presence can make them feel heard and cared for by you. I will also remind myself that we are all working together for the common good which means I will step in and help whenever is necessary and remind them of why I do this. 3. In workplaces, I wish to be known as someone reliable, consistent, and caring. I am not one to be very social with coworkers but my main priority is ensuring the workplace runs smoothly. I will do this by completing my work, helping others, and being responsible.

[@jessiewilson968]

1. One opportunity I'd like to pursue more is connecting with my professors' networks. Many of them are professors of practice who have extensive industry experience. They often send us job postings from their contacts and even if I am not looking for that specific job, I could reach out to the connection and set up a meeting to learn more about the company and roles. 2. I would like to invite people to study together or grab a meal/coffee after class to spend some time together outside the classroom. It's important to create relationships outside of work and so that when you are at work, your colleagues are more comfortable with you. Sometimes people have very different personalities at work than outside, so getting to see the "real" people they are can help you find connections you may not have known otherwise. 3. In my workplace, I want to be known as a listener and collaborator. In my manufacturing co-op, my management team learned so much by inviting employees to meetings and listening to their ideas and concerns. It was really important for the culture, safety, and trust of the plant for the workers to feel heard and valued. I want to continue that sentiment and help amplify voices that are silenced wherever I work.

[@Barozh-he9qr]

1 - One effective way I connect with professionals in my field is by attending campus events. These events provide a great opportunity to engage with speakers, and I make sure to ask for their email addresses or LinkedIn accounts to stay in touch. 2 - I’m aiming to become more social in order to enhance my conversational skills. While I tend to be on the quieter side, I truly value meaningful interactions. I consider myself a good listener, and once a conversation gets started, I genuinely enjoy participating in it. My goal is to be more proactive in initiating discussions, as I believe that developing these skills will enable me to connect with others more easily and build stronger relationships. 3 - In workplace, I want to be known as a listener and collaborator. I believe that being an attentive listener is essential for understanding my colleagues’ ideas and concerns, which helps foster a supportive environment. By encouraging open communication and teamwork, I hope to inspire collaboration that leads to innovative solutions.

[@SophiaHoffman-s1x]

1. One opportunity I can leverage to build my network is to use all of my campus resources. Specifically, I can attend on campus events related to healthcare and consulting so I can make connections with people who have similar interests. At work, I can continue to ask my manager for any input on people I should connect with. Once I meet with people, I can reach out to their connections. 2. To build more genuine relationships, I can start networking meetings off by trying to learn more about a person. I think it is valuable to learn about a person's interests outside of work and what they enjoy before diving into career goals and advice. It helps start the conversation about having a human connection instead of a means to an end. 3. In the workplace, I want to be known as efficient, organized, a team player, and someone people can go to for help. I would also like to be known as someone who is well versed and can help in building networks for other people.

[@LilyWelsh-m1i]

1.) I think the best way I have, and would prefer to do more, is to better connect to my professors. Several of them, I have gained such a strong respect for, and at some point I would love to teach! 2.) I think building relationships would be easier if I started paying attention to those around me. Once recently, I noticed a coworker constantly had to wait several hours for her ride home, so I offered to drive her home. Although she never utilized this offer, we did begin talking more. I would like to be better at noticing things like this, or even simpler things. 3.) I would like to be helpful in a workplace, to be able to reliably navigate my workload and be able to help others with theirs. I want people to feel comfortable asking me things.

[@baileytaylor7051]

1. A unique opportunity for me to connect with professionals is our university's alumni database. I have the ability to contact any of our alumni and reach out to them to further my network opportunities. These alumni are often very knowledgeable and give invaluable advice to current undergraduates. 2. To build more genuine relationships, I think the most important step is to disregard any preconceived notions that I may have about a person and establish a good rapport with them and attempt to have a meaningful and memorable conversation with them. 3. In the workplace, I hope to be someone that people can turn to for help or advice, someone who is reliable and a hard-worker. I want to continue to learn more about the field, while also maintaining knowledgeable.

[@JasonLin1774]

1) At my internship, I'm currently staffed on a a project with a senior engineer who has 30 years of experience in an industry that I'm interested in breaking into. I'm having regular meetings with him to discuss findings from my work, which I think is an ideal opportunity for me to ask questions about his work and ask for some coaching. 2) I would like to find ways to connect with my coworkers outside of work. Though I eat with them at lunch and have a few chats throughout the work day, it can be difficult to make an individual connection or have a deeper conversation when we're all caught up with our tasks. I plan to make an effort to find out more about their personal interests and set up times to get to know them one-on-one. 3) In the workplace, I want to be known as the guy that brings energy and enthusiasm to the office every day. No matter what kind of projects myself or my team is staffed on, I want to be able to uplift the people around me and make them glad they came to work that day.

[@angelaarlenedacuyan4219]

1. I attend school events, participate in community activities, and join social clubs. I also look for opportunities to partner with different organizations to expand my network and gain new experiences. 2. I focus on building connections by getting to know people on a personal level and helping out whenever I can. This approach helps me form stronger relationships and create a supportive environment. 3. At work, I aim to become an administrator or officer who makes the team work better and helps us achieve our department’s goals with flying colors. I want to be someone who drives success and brings out the best in everyone. -Angela Arlene Choy

[@ttayanlade]

1. Attending seminar-like events in school. Particularly those that invite industry partners, who I can start conversations with. 2. For me, I would like to learn to keep up with people. As networks grow bigger, it gets difficult to follow up with people as much as one desires. 3. I want to be an efficient person at my work and also someone with whom my colleagues can enjoy breaks with, to ensure that we’re recharged after.

[@colbyhill3456]

1. To increase my network I will work build rapport with other professionals at expos and training events. Another way is by doing volunteer work with non profit organizations. 2. I will initiate conversations about their personal interests. Another way is by doing activities together outside of work, like golfing. 3. I aim to be the one that people go to for the hard or out of the norm tasks, because they know I will successfully get them done. I look to increase my knowledge so I can share that with co-workers, potentially eliminate some of the hurdles I faced in my career.

[@emilygalluzzi6733]

1. I’d like to increase my network by doing clinical rotations at away sites so that I can meet residents and attendings who have connections with other residency programs. I also need to attend a conference, but some require flying to another state so I just need to make sure it fits with my schedule. 2. I hate being a “suck-up” or not genuine with my responses, so I will usually ask extension questions like, “tell me more about this topic you just touched on?” Or “What do you like most or dislike most about this idea?” I agree that actually being interested and curious instead of acting like it is way more authentic and comes across as someone who they can trust. 3. I enjoy a challenge. I think leaders do not shy away from complex problems or interactions; they utilize their team and maximize the strengths of others and listening to others is important. Gossiping can lead to judgement and distrust amount co-workers and hurt networking opportunities. Emily Galluzzi

[@MelindaRay-gm8cq]

1. When it comes to connecting with professionals, I try to focus on active listening, offering value, and consistently following up. Collaborating on projects also helps build strong relationships. 2. For bonding with colleagues, I believe in having honest conversations, celebrating wins, and offering support during challenges to build trust and camaraderie. 3. As for my workplace identity, I aim to be known for innovation, leadership, and expertise in a niche area while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I don’t want to be a public success but a private failure, so fostering a balanced workplace culture is important to me.

[@mariusmartello4864]

1: I have met with professionals in my field by attending the Midwest Economics Conference and networking with professionals in economics. I can do more to network with professionals by attending more on-campus events and workshops. 2: Being an active listener is a key part of building genuine relationships. People having someone to talk to that they know truly cares and will listen will get your foot in so many doors. 3: In the workplace, I want to first and foremost be known as someone who gets high quality work done on time. Secondly, I want to be known as a great team player, and someone that everyone at work is comfortable asking questions to.

[@spencerkennedy5]

1. One unique opportunity is to meet with a professor I used to work with it that I haven't connected with him in a while i f fell like connecting with him again could be beneficial. 2. I can be more open to extending conversations to beyond my original purpose to better connect with people I talk to. 3. In the work place I want to be the person that's respectful and is respected by others

[@samanthaocana2112]

1. I would like to take advantage of my school workshops where I am able to network with others about their internship experiences as well as get to know other alumni through organizations such as SHPE and SWE. My professors also almost all do research. So I will definitely reach out on advice about grad school and learn more about the projects they are working on. 2. Finding relatable conversations is definitely helpful when having honest conversations with someone. Sometimes when someone just agrees with everything one says the conversation can feel a little bland. Finding something in common would be very helpful when beginning a new bond. Of course to find something in common, it sometimes takes getting to know the person better first. 3. I want to be known as a dependable and approachable person and someone with a strong work ethic always willing to help other where I can. Also, a curious person who wants to learn as much from others as possible as well.

[@maggiemckeon4760]

1. Career fairs, ask recruiters on campus for suggestions and talk to them, talk to career development department and resume support workshops . 2. I am working on being honest and dependable when situations arise that need to be addressed. Being an active listener is key for this and important in networking in general. 3. Someone approachable, someone who can help and is kind and knowledgeable, accountable, efficient, and organized.

[@BryanJohnson-q7q]

Q#1 I think attending seminars my school hosts is a good way to meet professionals. They are a good way to ask professionals questions on the info the present. I have done one so far on AI in the workplace and learned a lot.

[@khanhtrinh3597]

1. One opportunity I would like to pursue is to attend industry-specific conferences and networking events. These events provide a platform to meet professionals in my field, gain insights into the latest industry trends, and potentially find mentors or collaborators. 2. To build more relationships with colleagues, I need to be more open and start small. For example, I could chat with them during breaks, ask how their day is going, or share a funny story. Showing genuine interest in what they are working on or how things are going for them and offering help when they need it or collaborating on projects can also go a long way in building trust. Even little things like remembering birthdays or celebrating team wins together can help strengthen my connections wth them over time. 3. In the workplace, I want to be someone who is dependable, innovative, and collaborative. I also want to be seen as someone who embraces problem-solving and brings fresh ideas to the table, always seeking to improve processes or develop creative solutions.

[@w.a.i.d5458]

Stacey Gamez: 1. Once opportunity I want to take advantage of is doing research. One of my professors is doing psychology research papers and I would love to know more. I never done research before, I’m a little nervous. 2. What I would like to better to build more genuine relationships is continuing to follow up with someone. I make connections yet rarely follow up with them due to being scared of them not wanting to connect as much as I do. I need to change that so I can continue to build these relationships. 3. In the workplace, I aim to be a reliable, supportive, and kind person. I would like to build the individuals around me up, and be someone my co-workers and bosses can depend on. As well as helping to keep the work environment positive and uplifting.

[@JessiWillhite]

Jessi Willhite Q1) There are career fairs every semester which are great networking opportunities. I went to one two weeks ago and got a lot of good information. I am also planning on going to the one in the Spring semester. Q2) I have already started doing this. I am pretty close with one of my supervisors in my office. We talk about life a lot and whenever there is an opportunity that comes up I am one of the first people she tells about them. Q3) I want to be known as the helpful, efficient person. I love to do work and get things done and I want to show that to my coworkers. I have a tendency to be reserved and not talk as much because I am there to get a job done so I think I need to work on being productive while also being sociable.

[@Rory_Stein]

1. My school's Computer Science and Business Association is going on a trip to NYC to talk to alumni and professionals from different companies. I am excited to grow my network through this opportunity. 2. I need to take time to be more present in the moment and outwardly curious about other people's lives. A lot of the time, I wait for people to share information with me when I can probably ask more questions to get to know someone. 3. In the workplace, I want to be someone who is known for quality work and is also fun to be around, making the job more enjoyable and efficient.

[@kirabyers1310]

2. I want to be more purposeful in asking people about their lives. After forming specific connections or finding a common interest, I want to be able to go back to that topic and ask more. So actively listening during a conversation and being able to remember later on.

[@RESICRejna]

1. I make new connections through student organizations and workshops on campus. In addition, I participate in some online workshops and seminars where I usually meet professionals from the field I want to work in. 2. To build genuine connections, it is figuratively necessary to know how to speak the language spoken by the person you are communicating with. To be on the same page with that person, it is necessary to know how to listen and hear what the other person is saying. I personally try to remember little things about the people I'm talking to and to bring those little things into further conversation. In this way, people know that they have been heard and will respect that. 3. I want to be known as a leader, a person people can count on and trust. I want to have the reputation of a person who is ready to take risks but also the responsibility for herself and others.

[@JuliaGreeley-j3f]

1.) There's a career fair at one my my neighboring universities, and I have the opportunity to attend to meet professionals in my field of interest. 2.) I'd like to make more effort to build relationships by staring small: saying "hi" when we show up to work in the morning, chatting during lunch hour, etc. Then. I can make efforts to break the ice and chat about more personal experiences outside of work. 3.) I want to be someone that my coworkers can come to with problems, both work-related and not work-related.

[@BevanTse-o4o]

My mentor told me about his background and said he was traveling at the moment so he would get back to me. Pretty cool as it fits the definition of ambition in motion- hope he makes it safe

[@rachaelmcguire5554]

1. One opportunity I would like to pursue is attend career fairs and attend meeting through my college to learn how to thrive and to reach out. I attend college virtually and live 33 hours away from my college so it is really hard to connect to others. 2. I would like to be able to build relationships with colleagues and be more confident in myself. I need to pry out of my shell and become more open to those colleagues and just start at a small steady pace. For example, during monthly meetings I could speak up and share things or ask how the entire staff is doing. 3. In the workplace I want to be someone who is reliable and collaborative. I want to be someone who is able to problem solve anything that is brought to my attention, someone who brings new ideas or strategies to the team, and someone who is not shy and reserved.

[@NatalieHernandez-n5p]

1. I would like to connect with entrepreneurs in my field and alumni as well. Being part of my university’s advisory board, ai am at an advantage of going to events that alumni are invited to. 2. I would like to initiate connections after the initial conversation. I have great conversations but have realized that i fail to reach out after to continue building that relationship. 3. In the workplace I would like to be known as reliable. People will know that when they assign me work they will be getting quality work.

[@lancekirk7853]

Lance Kirk 1. At my school alumni often come back to visit clubs they were once apart of for large milestones. During these events I try to become familiar with the alumni since it is more of a social setting than it is a professional one. I think getting to know someone personally is a more effective way of getting to know someone and could lead to many great opportunities in the future. 2. I would like to become more comfortable talking to strangers and making small talk. Like Greg, I am an extrovert when comfortable but very introverted when I am in an unfamiliar environment. Its hard for me to join conversations especially when people already seem to have preestablished groups or are busy. If I could learn to break that barrier and a polite and professional way, I feel I would become exponentially better at networking. 3. I would love to be a familiar face people would be comfortable going to make small talk or ask questions. I want to be a personal that people respect as an employee but like as a person. While professionalism is obviously important, I think it is equally important to bring down your guard at time and be your true self and show that to those you work with.

[@SarahArrowood]

1. I would like to meet with caseworkers and maybe some alumni to network and get myself connected with more people 2. I would like to practice being more extrovert and do things like Greg talked about saying hi to others and asking how they are to start up a conversation. 3. I want to be someone who is known for helping, and who guides people in a supportive and positive way, and I want to be a pleasure to be around with my coworkers.

[@amulyahota3414]

1. I try to connect with professionals through my professors, social media apps like LinkedIn, and the alumni network from clubs I’m in like my sorority. 2. Small talk goes a long way in learning more about coworkers and connecting with them 3. I want to be seen as someone who is friendly and helpful. - Amulya Hota

[@LindseyTurner-d4w]

1. I am going to try and attend more career fairs/networking events in Philadelphia since it is a larger city than where my college is. I have plans to attend a Jobs in Water fair next week and I will try to see if anybody there knows my college and go from there. 2. I would like to put myself out there more, like attending company events and being more chatty. I often get too focused on work and deadlines, but it is extremely valuable to have small talk and banter with your colleagues. You never know where a conversation may lead, and it makes for a happier workplace. 3. I want to be the friendly guy who is always willing to listen, learn, and bring a smile to your face. I want to make those significant little acts of kindness. I want to be the observant person that makes people feel noticed. I also want to be the person who from listening, can add missing or synthesized ideas.

[@ElaineSarazen]

1. Since I am in my last year of my undergraduate program, I will focus on making connections with my professors and learning more about their careers and research. I want to attend more school-sponsored discussions with industry experts as well. 2. To build more genuine relationships with people in my office, I will make an effort to reach those outside of my direct network, whether that be my team in a work setting or peers in a class setting. I will reach out to those individuals to grab coffee and get to know them and the work they do. 3. I want to be someone who is known for their hard work and quality work. I would hope that people would come to me knowing I can get the work done. Also, I hope to be known as someone who is friendly and easy to get along with.

[@laquaywollaston6232]

1. I would like to connect with alumni and professors who are actively involved with organizations outside of school that I am interested in. 2. I believe that it is important to listen to others and to properly understand what they are saying so others can feel seen. 3. I want to be the person who people are comfortable to talk to. I want them to know that they have a safe space to communicate their thoughts and feelings without getting judged.

[@leahh2798]

1. I would like to connect with financial professionals and entrepreneurs at industry events to learn new ideas and find opportunities for growth. 2. I want to focus on having more one-on-one conversations and actively listening to colleagues to build more genuine relationships. 3. I want to be someone known for integrity, responsibility, and good leadership in the workplace.

[@anamicakhadgi9001]

Anamica Khadgi 1. I unique way I meet with professionals in my field is through the BMES National Conference every year. It has been super insightful and it is always so exciting to learn about the research happening in my field from the people who are doing it. 2. What I can do to build more genuine relationships in the workplace is to be intentional and reach out to spend time with people outside of the mandated hours. I believe this would help forge a friendship and a connection that is so much more expansive than just meeting at work. 3. In the workplace, I want to be proactive and take initiative. I also try my best to be amicable to all, especially people I disagree with, so that we don't have hostile conflict and instead lean more towards meaningful discussions.

[@jeffkamau5086]

1. Attending networking events on-campus where I can meet like minded people and people who are generally career ambitious. 2. To build rapport with my colleagues, I will be a listener, try not to dominate conversations, and dwell on the commonalities. 3. At the work place I want to be the approachable, trustworthy, easy to work with colleague who emphasizes quality.

[@RayHeinonen-o3q]

Ray Heinonen: 1. People that I would want to contact and connect with are recruiters and alumni working in the computer engineering field. Though it is a stretch and something that I would be slightly uncomfortable to do, I think it is valuable in furthering my career by gaining insight and making good connections with people actually in the field I want to pursue. 2. One thing I want to do better to build more connections in office or classroom spaces is just striking up a conversation. I feel like I am similar to Greg in that I can be extroverted, but don’t necessarily like to talk to new people. I often find talking to new people exhausting and uncomfortable. However, getting over this can progress my networking skills. 3. I want to be someone that people can get along with. I don’t care about being the center of attention, but I also want to be known by my peers and coworkers. So I want to overall be a friendly person and be someone people can talk to and be friends with.

[@krishaunhunter765]

1. One unique way I meet with professionals in my field is by participating in my university's accounting night where different firms attend which I then take advantage of by connecting and having meaningful conversations with the recruiters from these companies. Another unique way I can connect with professionals in my field is by scheduling more coffee chats or quick calls with employees at the firms I intern for or recruiters who reach out to me about opportunities at their firms. 2. I would like to become more outgoing so I start conversations with the people that I find resourceful who can be beneficial to me either by being a future connection that becomes advantageous or someone that I can gain wisdom from. In addition, I need to work on my conversational skills because when talking with others I believe I end the conversation prematurely without discussing important topics. 3. In the workplace, I would strive to be the person that others are confident in so they have no problem trusting me with important tasks or are afraid to ask me for help. Furthermore, I would like to be the colleague with a little knowledge about how everything operates in the company I work for so I can me multifaceted and able to be impactful on a variety of projects.

[@BayinnahKnight]

In the workplace I want to be the person that stay away from always complaining but the person that voice constructive opinions and the person that give new employees resources to succeed. I want to have the qualities that are feel I already have and thats a leader that approachable and support her coworkers

[@kirabyers1310]

3. In the workplace, I want to be someone who others feel comfortable approaching. I want to say hi to my coworkers and be able to have fun conversations outside of just work related topics. I want to be seen as a hard worker and knowledgeable, but also kind and conversational.

[@alexandradarrah9647]

1. One unique opportunity for me to connect with professionals is the alumni from the field hockey team. I can reach out to my coach for contact information for some of the alumni who work in business or a similar industry as me. 2. To get to know people better and maintain stronger relationships, I want to start taking down mental or actual notes once the conversation is over about personal details the person told me so that when I see them again I can remember these details and talk to them about it to build a more personal connection. 3. In the workplace I want to known as the person who is dependable, hard working, and committed, but also as the friendly face around the office that people can trust and enjoy working with.

[@BeatrizdeSaBarato]

1. I’m in the Economics Students Association at my university and throughout the year organizes these events where an important person in the economics field comes and talks. So, I am excited to see what opportunities will be available for me this year. I also want to start connecting with more people on LinkedIn but I’m not the most confident person so I’m kind of nervous about that, but I do really want to do it. 2. I would like to seem like I belong more. I am a sophomore in college but it’s only my first year so I don’t have much experience, and I want to start building these connections, but I feel like a child. I am not but I feel like that’s what I come across, maybe because I can be a bit insecure. I guess overall I’d just like to be more confident and secure in myself. 3. In the workplace I’d like to be someone who can separate work from life and not let something going on in my life affect my work. I’d also like to be someone that is known in the workplace for being hardworking, reliable, friendly, and good at my job.

[@jeffnixon5519]

Q1) Often times, more than not, a lot of the recruiters that come to campus from companies are Alumni. I've found that I have connected quite well with a lot of alumni before so I'd potentially look for Alumni I know and actually see what can be done in terms of recruiting since I've never followed up on those relationships.I'd also like to leverage the relationship I have with my professor who has Q2) I need to be better at following up with people. I find myself fully capable to conversate and work with people, and sometimes those people follow up with me. However, I rarely find myself following up with them cause I am always interested in them, I just seem to not do that. Q3)In the work place, I wanna be the person people can go to if they have a question about something, and not be afraid to do so. Being the subject matter expert is something I've always enjoyed being, but I also get it that even when you feel like you are, you still have questions.

[@NicolasHelou-l1y]

1. A unique way I can meet with professionals in my field is by attending workshops and conferences involving cybersecurity, AI algorithms and programming. 2. To build stronger relationships, I can first start by conversing with a person of interest and learning more about them naturally through repeated talks and interactions. 3. In the workplace, I want to be known as a capable and reliable worker who can get a job done in an efficient and timely manner without too much trouble.

[@JacobMorris-j7r]

1) I would like to connect with Alumni from fraternity. There are many in the industry I am working in now and I could connect with them and learn from their experience. I could also reach out to alumni who are part of networking groups and visit one of their meetings. 2) In my office I can attempt to connect with one other person by going out of my way to step into their office and introduce myself, ask questions, and attempt to get to know them. 3) I want to be the person people can look up to. I want to bring energy and positivity to every situation and I want people to see me as someone with a strong moral compass and integrity.

[@nnadres]

Nicole Nadres 1. A unique opportunity would be to find a way to connect my university to my organization. The college is currently looking to form more partnerships with businesses. 2. I tend to connect more with the people I serve and less with the people I work with. To improve my relationships with those I work with, I can learn more about what they're interested in, find a common ground, and build on top of that. 3. I want to inspire those around me to become the best version of themselves.

[@user-bm1nd6xv9q]

3) I want to be the one who starts and finishes perfectly(or as close as I can get)every time. A professional that does not gossip and always gives others the benefit of the doubt.-Jacqueline C

[@HarleyJones-w2b]

1) A unique opportunity to network related to my collegiate experience would be attending the thesis presentations that my college puts on. This would allow me to learn more about the intricacies of my major and meet with the people that are working in those fields. It would also provide the opportunity to meet with other members of the field that they are in contact with. 2) I try to be open when interacting with my coworkers, though I need to do this with more of them. I am close with a few of them, but I think it is important for me to develop these personal connections with more people in my office. 3) I want to be the person that people know that they can rely on to get the job done. However, I also want people to know that they can come to me for more than workplace issues and that I want to help and empathize with them if they need someone to do that for them.

[@mamasmae8021]

1. I just joined the alumni group for my college. I’m also working to get my LinkedIn profile up to date so that I can reach out to people in operations that way.

[@arielyoung1123]

1. What is the unique opportunity to get your foot in the door? Having lunch with my co-workers one on one and getting to know them. Eventually building a report and ask deeper questions like “what they like about their roles” and “how they came into their profession”? 2. What would you like to do better to build more genuine relationships with those in your office? Writing down key words that people have mentioned to me about their hobbies, interests and life outside the workplace so I can remember when speaking to them. Connecting on a personal level instead of just a professional transactional one. 3. Who do you want to be in the workplace? I want people to see me as someone approachable, friendly, and supportive. The person they can think of when they need to rely on a project to get done in a timely manner and is coachable.

[@BryanJohnson-q7q]

Q#2 I would like to build better work connections. I tend to keep to myself and don't like to get too personal at work. I need to learn how to have good conversations with management.

[@kendallmcallister1802]

1. I would like to utilize my campuses innovators in residence more. We have many top performing individuals in their perspective careers that come to campus and give speeches and sit in on classes. I would like to go and meet with them, even if they aren’t in my field. just to learn more from them on how they got to where they are today. 2. I want to be more confident and I want to become a better listener. i think that confidence helps a in every aspect of your life both inside and outside of the workplace. I also think that listening is one of the most important skills and I think i could learn a lot from sharing less and listening to others more. 3. In the workplace, I want to be known for being the problem solver, the creative thinker, and the kind person. I want to be the one that everyone thinks of when they need help or are looking for different answers.

[@jaribushand1971]

Jaribu Shand: 1. I think a great way to connect with these professionals is to volunteer to assist with the event or whatever they are involved in. Anything that could get you to have just a few minutes with them, whether it be helping to setup, helping with logistics, getting the food etc. 2. I think a great way to genuinely bond with colleagues is to engage in casual conversations. I think we can just randomly check in with them, how was their weekend, their interests, hobbies, or just what they do outside of working general and learn about their personal life. 3. I want to be a problem solver and a collaborator. I think being someone who can take on challenges and is curious about what creative solutions I can find while doing so with my teammates and valuing each person’s contribution would make me the ultimate colleague.

[@annazangirova7438]

1. I think it's the dream of everyone who doesn't have a large network or connections to find great opportunities to connect with professionals and establish valuable, genuine contacts that can potentially lead to long-lasting and meaningful professional relationships. Having professional curiosity can help improve both hard and soft skills, increase knowledge, and boost confidence in pursuing your goals. One opportunity I would like to pursue is to meet professionals in a field I'm interested in, to observe how they work, handle situations, manage their responsibilities, learn about their thoughts and behaviour, and to hear their experiences, their challenges, etc.

[@WilliamYang-z3y]

1. A unique opportunity to me for connecting with professionals is our university's alumni database. I can access all of their contacts through this database and see what they did in college as well as what they're doing now. These alumni are often very knowledgeable and give invaluable advice to current undergraduates. 2. To build more genuine relationships, I think the first step is to try to discard any sort of predispositions that I may have whether that's something that I heard about the other person or my own judgments based on short interactions. I feel like if I go into interactions with a more open mind, I will be able to connect better with the people around me. 3. In the workplace, I want to be someone who is knowledgeable yet curious, reliable, always willing to help, and someone who lift the spirits of my team. I want to help contribute to an efficient and high-spirited work environment.

[@aidanoneal856]

Aidan O'Neal Something I could do to take advantage of my collegiate resources is to talk to professors to see who their industry sponsors are for cerian research projects and see if they could use those connections to help me get a foot in the door. to connect more with people at my workplace, I can use my breaks throughout the day to chat with people about how they are liking their work and possibly organize fun activities outside of work hours the type of person I want to be in the workplace is someone who gets their work done well enough to help others and be relied on.

[@lishapottackal7295]

I aspire to be a manager, who is fun, compassionate, supportive, and collaborative.

[@Sarah-MariaStrack]

Sarah-Maria Strack 1) My campus organizes career fairs that allow me to talk to people in my field of study. Additionally, I joined a club that hosts guest speakers who are former students and share their experiences, so we already have the opportunity to know someone from a potential workplace. 2) I would like to be more outgoing, go up to people, and talk to them, especially those who share the same major and interests as me. But I am a little shy to talk to people my age, however, it improved compared to last year, when I was basically not talking to any strangers. 3) I want to be a person people rely on and trust and see me as a team player and not as a lone wolf. Moreover, I want to be a person people can talk to without being afraid that I might be angry at them.

[@annazangirova7438]

2. Probably, one of the steps is to cultivate reliable and trustworthy relationships with my coworkers.

[@gustavomaida3343]

Gustavo Maida 1. In my college for homecoming, many alumni are coming back to campus that had the same scholarship that I have. It's a great opportunity to connect with people that have a similar background and can connect me with the right person. 2. The first thing I would do is active listening to learn who they are, their preferences and their hobbies' outside of work. I already have one-on-one with my boss in which we don't only talk about work but also about our lives and about leadership advice. 3. I would love to be the person you can rely on. The work partner you know can always help you, find a solution or connect you with the right person that can help you to solve your issue.

[@hadibourji9541]

Q1: I could attend alumni events and reach out to industry professionals. I would be able to create lasting relationships with them. Q2: I would try being better at listening and engaging in conversations. By being more interested in whatever others enjoy talking about I could create more genuine relationships. Q3: I want to be someone people come to open up to when they are in need of assistance or advice. This would allow me to create more genuine relationships.

[@caitlynedgar733]

Caitlyn Edgar Question 1: My university has a variety of engineering-related professional organizations; I am making a commitment to attend their meetings this year. They have events every semester that bring in industry professionals and professors to talk and network with students. Question 2: I would like to be more intentional about asking follow-up questions in conversation, to allow people to elaborate on themselves. I can come up with initial conversation starters, but I think it would be even better to ask further questions when someone answers in order to get to know them better, and to show I'm actively listening to them. Question 3: In my workplace, I want to be the person others can go to for expertise or advice on how to move forward in their projects. I know that while sometimes I struggle to come up with solutions in the first place, I can often tell when someone else's idea is helpful or not, and even build on it to come up with an even better solution. I want to be known for my unique perspective on the work I am doing.

[@BryanJohnson-q7q]

Q#3 I want to be a positive leader in the workplace. I want to be looked at as a reliable contributor to my team.

[@colewelcher926]

Question 1: One unique way that I met with professionals in my field was looking at alumni from my school and seeing if they have worked or are currently working in an industry that I would like to work in and seeing if they would be willing to introduce me. Question 2: To build better relationships I really need to get rid of my phone, as I am not that social and with my phone I become even more especially during breaks instead of talking with people around me and building relationship. Question 3: In the workplace I want to be the connection between programmers and the engineers that do not have a programming background (I am a dual major).

[@JuliannaICorrea]

1. My school's AURA (Alabama Undergraduate Research Association) organization is having a Graduate Student Panel. I want to go to get involved with the organization and network with some of the graduate students. 2. In regards to listening when people tell me things I've noticed that I react kind of with an automatic answer or judgement then fully allowing them to express the situation or therir feelings fully. So active listening and empathy is what I'll be focusing on moving forward. 3.I want to be the person that my coworkers go to when they need help or want a friend. I want to be the employee whose boss appreciates my hard work. I want to be the person who who is respected and trusted by clients. Lastly I want to be the person that is proud of and enjoys the work that I'm doing.

[@anjeliestrada5737]

Name: Anjeli Estrada 1. I am going to a conference at the end of the month through my college so I will be talking to as many professionals in that conference. 2. Starting up conversations in the break room is something I can definitely work on to build better conversations in the office. I am naturally a more reserved person but like the guest speaker said, you can make the choice to start up more conversations. 3. I want to be the coworker that has a positive energy and someone that people feel comfortable with striking up a conversation with.

[@JackGranat-j9t]

Jack Granat 1. An opportunity that I utilized to get my foot in the door was presenting my undergraduate research at the annual meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics. 2. To better network I want to know how to pivot the conversation when it dies out a little. 3. In the workplace, I want to be someone who is approachable and that people can come to help for.

[@amardvark]

1. keep in touch with my old college professor who has written me recommendations 2. I would like to get to know teammates better outside of the confines of work and/or school. 3. I want to be a better leader and collaborative teammate and along the way learn how to solve my own problems.

[@seralee5555]

1 Answer to the First Question) I think that it is to converse more frequently with people to get to know them and also do what they said to show that I remember what they had mentioned to build up a good long withstanding relationship. I think we are all want to be remembered by the other people unless you really disgusting to be remembered by your most hated enemy. 2 Answer to the Second Question) I do want to be one of those people that Gregg described. I think I do not need to dominate conversations and genuine to other people asking them how they are doing.

[@xxlightningvioletxx8649]

Olivia Edwards 1. My university holds specific career fairs for the different colleges and has RSOs (registered student organizations) that take trips and meet with professional speakers to connect. This is one of my more accessible ways to connect at my university. 2. I try to offer more help and support by participating in activities and striking up a genuine conversation asking about themselves and how they got to where they’re at. 3. I wanna be someone who is known as reliable, but I don’t want people to hound me at multiple times with help with something. I love helping others, but I don’t want to seem as someone you should depend everything on because everyone needs to have a certain level of independence and equal responsibility.

[@OliviaJL44]

Question 1: One opportunity I will take advantage of is reaching out to alumni of both my high school and university who are in fields I am interested in. Question 2: Although I am not currently working, I will always ask how people are doing in very specific ways to show I care. Question 3: In the workplace I want to be the one everyone goes to for help, not exactly for that reason, but that means that you are indispensable.

[@DarbyFrickey]

Question 1: A way that I could connect with and learn from someone by taking advantage of my collegiate network is to reach out to an alumni from my school who works for a company or went through a graduate program that I am interested in. Question 2: In order to connect more with people at work, I could be more willing to engage in small talk and provide my perspective in open conversations. Question 3: In the workplace, I want to be someone who is willing to help others and provide guidance when I can, as opposed to someone who only expends effort towards things that benefit them directly.

[@BevanTse-o4o]

3. In the workplace, I just kind of want to be the easy going guy, up for things that don’t interfere with politics, but also gets the job done.

[@ericjohnson636]

1. A club I am a member of is hosting a STEM fair with multiple employers. I want to go to that and meet everyone I can. 2. I want to be a lot more friendly with the students in my classes. 3. I want to be a dependable and friendly co-worker

[@user-bm1nd6xv9q]

2) Id like to build connections and maintain healthy relationships where we can help each other and build people up. I need to be more self aware as well as more focused on others -Jacqueline C.

[@lishapottackal7295]

I would like to connect with an accounting professor from a different university than I attended to eventually find out the correct courses to take to sit for my CPA exam.

[@matthewb428]

Matthew Burian 1. To build more geniune relationships I would like to reach out to the alumni that I interacted with before they graduated and learn about how they like their current jobs. 2. I want to do a better job at keeping close relationships after I leave a job or internship by reaching out to my former coworkers when something happens to me that makes me think about them. 3. I aim to be a person who is known as a good resource to go to if you have a work or non-related work issue. I also want to be known as someone who goes above and beyond to ensure I submit quality work.