Networking

I went to a networking dinner tonight. Anyone in a professional or business-related field (or field of study) should be pretty familiar with the term networking. It is usually stressed from day one of classes. Of course, being in a healthcare executive masters program, it's stressed as much or more than one would suspect. I know how important it is, but I've just never been that good at it. I feel so stupid going up to complete strangers at "networking" events - especially these big executives. I'm always thinking something like "Why would he/she have any desire to take away from their time to catch up with their friends to talk to some lowly student."

Anyway, recognizing this fault of mine, I've tried to purposefully make myself go up and talk to people in these "networking" situations. In addition, I'm trying to make my goal to meet someone new and establish a contact with them each month. The point of it all is to make myself practice. And I have to say it is kind of working. I still feel stupid as all get out (is it one word, "getout" in that context???), I'm doing it and am being somewhat successful. I've also found that I'm beginning to get more comfortable with doing it. So maybe by next year, I'll have it down pat.