Why is NETWORKING so important?

Networking. This word is a powerful one. Networking can mean the difference between interning for a year or more before landing a job and landing one straight out of school. By far networking is one of the greatest skills you will learn in life and should try to learn before you leave school.

Director from Nelvana, a large animation studio in Toronto, Ontario, says in his launching lectures at Sheridan College, "Look to the left of you, now look to the right. Be nice to these people. One day you will either be working with or for them." Here he introduces students to the reality that they have to present themselves professionally and practice that with their peers. When you get into the real world, you might be working right next to the person you might have made fun of in school. Or, worse in that case, working under them.

Networking is also about getting yourself out there. Being shy is not really an option anymore. If you want the jobs you have to get yourself known. Especially in this industry. If people have no personal connection to you in anyway but they do with another candidate, who do you think they will choose? Try to attend as many networking events as possible to meet people and start getting yourself known.

Last summer I attended the Pixar Animation and Story Masterclasses in Toronto hosted by VanArts. During the breaks before and after these classes I introduced myself to as many people as I could. I became close with a few and most importantly, I kept in touch with them over the past year. Now we are coordinating going to another network event together, we give each other advice or opinions on each other's posted work and we encourage one another. I would hire these people in a moment if they were applying somewhere I worked.

In another instance, my 3rd year internship at GUS VFX was obtained from a connection I had as a student that I kept in contact with. She was in third year when I was in first but someone I was dating was in the same year as her. I made many connections with the third years in there and, again very important, kept in touch with all of them throughout the years. When a position came up for a graduate to become an intern, I was first in line.

These connections are crucial and you need to start making them now. The perfect opportunity to do that soon is at the Welcome To The Industry Party hosted by TAAFI. This is a networking event that will allow people in the industry or just entering to connect with one another. You meet people there, keep in touch with them, and who knows... one day they might just have a position for you! I have hooked up a few friends from back at school with great internships and I would be more than happy to do that again.

So get out there and NETWORK! You never know what amazing opportunities will follow.

Get in touch with me! Introduce yourself! We may be working together in the future.

E-mail me at karenwonderswhy[at]gmail[dot]com.

If you want to be added to the mailing list for future networking events just send me an e-mail stating so and I will be more than happy to add you to the list.