Column: Networking and the real world
Joe Astrouski / City Editor
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Opinions
Buzzwords.
They're as ubiquitous on college campuses as beer breakfasts and "wear a condom" fliers.
Most are easy to ignore, but one buzzword burrows deep in my stomach each time I hear it: networking.
This morning, I got two e-mails announcing opportunities to "network with potential employers."
I hate networking. More specifically, I hate the word "networking" and the concept it represents.
I bet if I use the word "networking" enough in this column, you'll hate it too.
Networking, networking, networking… see what I mean?
When I was a senior in high school, our teachers sent us off to college fairs to network with representatives of colleges and universities.
As a freshman, I recall professors promoting social events, concerts and lectures on campus as chances to network.
In the intervening three years, I have heard professors, counselors and friends suggest I network with a slew of other notable people whose names I have since forgotten.
I have been directed to career fairs, registered student organizations, alumni and professionals in my field and an endless train of others with whom to network.
Although I've been to plenty of those events and met plenty of those people, I have never (knowingly) networked.
I don't network. My family and friends don't either. We meet people and we enjoy doing so.
And we do something that networking precludes: We make friends.
But successful people, whether in public office or business, must network, weighing the potential benefit of each person they meet.
That's why President Eisenhower said, "If you want a friend in Washington, D.C., get a dog."
That's probably also why President Obama and his family bought their new Portuguese water dog.
The president can befriend his new dog, but probably cannot befriend the Congressmen, Senators and cabinet members with whom he networks.
Federal investigators say former Gov. Rod Blagojevich networked extensively, building short-lived, quid pro quo friendships.
So did investor Bernie Madoff, who gave his clients the illusion of financial security in exchange for their faith and funds.
Both men gained money and fame through a life of networking. Both men have also been indicted and publicly humiliated in the past four months.
And both have been abandoned by most of the people with whom they networked with in the first place.
Meanwhile, in my 20 networking-free years, I have gained countless friends with whom I spend time, whom I appreciate and yes, love.
In fact, a few of us are going out this weekend. Maybe you'll see us around town. Come talk to us. We can network.
Joe Astrouski is a junior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
They're as ubiquitous on college campuses as beer breakfasts and "wear a condom" fliers.
Most are easy to ignore, but one buzzword burrows deep in my stomach each time I hear it: networking.
This morning, I got two e-mails announcing opportunities to "network with potential employers."
I hate networking. More specifically, I hate the word "networking" and the concept it represents.
I bet if I use the word "networking" enough in this column, you'll hate it too.
Networking, networking, networking… see what I mean?
When I was a senior in high school, our teachers sent us off to college fairs to network with representatives of colleges and universities.
As a freshman, I recall professors promoting social events, concerts and lectures on campus as chances to network.
In the intervening three years, I have heard professors, counselors and friends suggest I network with a slew of other notable people whose names I have since forgotten.
I have been directed to career fairs, registered student organizations, alumni and professionals in my field and an endless train of others with whom to network.
Although I've been to plenty of those events and met plenty of those people, I have never (knowingly) networked.
I don't network. My family and friends don't either. We meet people and we enjoy doing so.
And we do something that networking precludes: We make friends.
But successful people, whether in public office or business, must network, weighing the potential benefit of each person they meet.
That's why President Eisenhower said, "If you want a friend in Washington, D.C., get a dog."
That's probably also why President Obama and his family bought their new Portuguese water dog.
The president can befriend his new dog, but probably cannot befriend the Congressmen, Senators and cabinet members with whom he networks.
Federal investigators say former Gov. Rod Blagojevich networked extensively, building short-lived, quid pro quo friendships.
So did investor Bernie Madoff, who gave his clients the illusion of financial security in exchange for their faith and funds.
Both men gained money and fame through a life of networking. Both men have also been indicted and publicly humiliated in the past four months.
And both have been abandoned by most of the people with whom they networked with in the first place.
Meanwhile, in my 20 networking-free years, I have gained countless friends with whom I spend time, whom I appreciate and yes, love.
In fact, a few of us are going out this weekend. Maybe you'll see us around town. Come talk to us. We can network.
Joe Astrouski is a junior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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