Networking/skill sets: Education beyond the classroom

oldfort
Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:17:30 +0000

My D1 is always networking. Last semester she had a very difficult math research paper to write. She asked someone she met at another school while visiting to proof read it. She ended up getting an A on it.

She is very friendly and respectful too all of our friends. Whenever we’ve been invited to people’s events as a family, she’s always attend with a smile. She would offer to help in the kitchen or help out with younger kids. Before she went away to college she met with some of those parents to get their opinion on what majors and professions she should consider. Most of those parents were all highly accomplished people in their professions. Through all of that, she has been given various tutoring jobs and 2 summer positions.

A good place to practice networking while in school is with professors and fellow students. Go see professors during office hours. Aside from learning something extra outside of class, it could mean a higher grade if you are borderline. Better yet, a possible job referral or recommendation later. Your fellow students may have parents that could offer you a job. I just did that for my daughter’s friends. It was a matter of me making a few phone calls, but those kids I referred were particularly smart and nice. How did I know? They always made a point of talking to me whenever I saw them.

In real life, there is no work that requires the kind of brain power that’s needed to get into college. What’s more important is your ability to work with people, how to get the best out of people, and how you could get other people to extend an helping hand when it’s needed. This kind of skills is not not taught in a classroom. It is the reason why I encouraged D1 to participate in clubs and Greek life in college.