You might have heard the importance of networking while talking about the benefit of an MBA, and almost everybody talks about it in one way or another. And actually, networking is that important when it comes to MBA.
According to a survey done by LinkedIn, 85% of jobs are filled by networking references!
What is networking? It is merely knowing somebody a little more than an acquaintance and a little less than a friend. I call it '
the professional friendship'. If you have worked with someone on projects or have shared some hobby interest or have taken part in any common activity so that when it comes to asking something from them you feel comfortable. That's the basic idea of networking, obviously making friends is the strongest form of networking, but you can't make friendship to a lot of people. Friendship is about sharing personal information and being informal with each other, but time constraints limit the number of friends you can make at B schools. Although you also got to make some friends as you need someone to be there for you always, although its difficult to find good friends at business schools.
Networking starts even before your college starts. Social media groups get formed once you are offered admissions, some groups are formed voluntarily by incoming students some by students' body within the college. So, from here, networking starts. It is advisable to be active in groups but not be infamous. Once you go to your college, there are specific events to make students know each other. There are interaction sessions among batchmates; then, there are many series of interactions with alumni. You get the whole course duration to understand and spend time with your batchmates; also, you interact with your senior batch and your junior batch for one entire year (If you are doing a two-year MBA course). This makes your professional friendship with three batches of the college very strong.
Now, what one does to make a professional friendship? There is only one 'Ramban' that's the
conversation.
The conversation is the backbone of networking! Do talk to people and listen to them, let them know you and try to know about them. When you meet people the first time it is customary to introduce yourself. Make a catchy and sophisticated intro, keeping in mind the first impression is the last impression. Try to know about people and remember them this sometimes shows that you listen to people and people appreciate that. Informal meetings are a great medium to interact with people, do attend as many meetups as you can, attend campus parties, join at least one club and be actively involved in students related activities. These activities would take your lot of time but it's worth it. But please don't compromise your study; it's an essential part of your course.
How is networking useful? The most crucial thing after MBA is the career. Once you are graduated from your college and got a job through the placement process of the college. It's very likely that you will change your job within two years, and in getting a new job, your network will help you. Your network helps you not only for switching a job but it helps you even during employment, it gets you projects and increases your visibility in the corporate world. It also helps you in obtaining information and learning whenever you get stuck with your project then a person who has worked on a similar project will be a better person to reach.