Connections & Communication

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In college we are told that experience is the most valuable thing we can gain prior to starting our careers. What were not taught, is the importance of connections.

Creating connections in your industry means gaining more advocates and extending your reach. Connections can provide you with advice, insight, and can significantly help to further your career. In order to create connections, having strong communication skills is essential.

In my experience and observations, I have learned that strong communication skills (verbal & nonverbal) will help you to get jobs, promotions, and success throughout your career. Communication skills employers look for:

- Active Listening

- Assertivness

- Maintaining Eye Contact

- Using positive body language

-Open mindedness

- Respecting different points of view

Source: Google Images

These are just a few key points that have helped me personally during networking and interviews. Using these key communication skills have opened many doors for me and led me to land several job opportunities. By allowing myself to be very attentive and open minded, it has led me to form sustainable connections within my industry and perform strongly on work assignments. Forming strong communication skills as college students is incredibly important when it comes down to networking and finding job opportunities. These skills can also be applied to many other areas of life and help to have strong communication in relationships, friendships, jobs, etc.

Below are several links to websites I found to be helpful in understanding why communication and connections are so important.

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/marketing-sales/managing-relationships/communicating-effectively/understanding-communication

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/communication-skills-list-2063779

https://medium.com/thrive-global/the-softer-side-why-making-personal-connections-is-important-for-your-business-and-career-ed6711cbdb6e