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This post was mentioned on Twitter by tylerdurbin: Guest Post Series: “Collaborating Across Generations For Better Social Networking” http://ow.ly/1qvmxI #GenYJourney…

Interesting topic of discussion, Gina. Maybe the challenge exists in the definition of “networking”. Gen Yer's are still networking all the time. Going to parties, attending college events, spending time talking with friends on Facebook – all of that is networking.

Where I think Gen Yer's have the most to learn from older professionals is on focusing your networking based on your career goals. For instance, if you career goal is to get a job in a PR agency, then spending time going to events and hanging out with groups of younger students or local business owners might not be the most effective use of your time.

(That's not to say that you shouldn't spend time with Younger students or local business owners – you should)

What I mean is that true networking has a purpose, whether you do it on Twitter and Facebook or at conferences and events. At the end of the day, the question is, are you surrounding yourself with the people that could help you reach your goals?

I meat dozens of new people everyday (basically my goal is to meet someone new in every place I go each day). That's great just for an overall network of influence, especially if you are doing it over a certain geographical area. It doesn't take much extra effort, just to be outgoing.

Now when I sit down and think about career development strategies – networking specifically – I focus on finding: professionals in my desired company and industry, fellow college alums, young professionals who are just rockstars no matter what it is they do.

Where I could use help in my social networking is knowing the best way to reach out to these people, how to foster the relationship, etc.

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Nate Riggs , Tripp Braden, Tyler Durbin, topsy_top20k, Tyler Durbin and others. Tyler Durbin said: Leave your thoughts in the comments @WriterChanelle Question about disconnect between Gen-Y & effective social networking http://ow.ly/1AfVX [...]

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Check out this new website…today was the first time I've heard of it!

http://www.GenYNetworking.com…Looks like its going to be a great tool for both job searchers and employers. As of right now, it looks like there is a membership fee but well worth the time to check it out.

Here's another great article I found this morning talking about the effectiveness of social networking in connecting with community leaders.

http://leadertalk.mountainstate.edu/2010/04/wit...

Here are 10 awesome tips from opinionatlarge.com

1. Mind your manners. Social media is still social. Even though we are interacting in a virtual space, the same traditional social rules, laws, and faux pas still apply. If you act like a jerk, don’t expect many friends.

2. Tuck in your shirt. How you present yourself is just as important in the virtual world as it is in the real world. Make sure you are always aware of how you appear to others.

3. Send a thank you card. People still appreciate being appreciated. It really doesn’t take much to convert an acquaintance to a friend, which will offer exponentially more value. A simple thank you, or any genuinely human interaction of gratitude goes a long way towards this goal.

4. Keep your elbows off the table. Acting respectfully in front of others proves that you value them, which will usually make them value you more. And in social media, it’s all about value.

5. Turn your music down. Don’t contribute to the noise. Listen to whatever you want in your own personal space, but when your personal preferences start to become a distraction to others, people will tune you out.

6. Finish what you started. Any way you look at it, engagement is a commitment. When you make an effort to become part of a community, it’s not only up to you when or how often you interact with other members. If you put yourself out there as a friend, be prepared to be there when people reach out to you.

7. Finish your vegetables. There are some aspects of social media that aren’t sexy. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t important to your growth and health. Make sure you are keeping up with the essentials, and not just chasing that buzz you get from a social sugar high.

8. Whatever happened to a good old fashioned…? Sometimes all these new gadgets and thingamabobs aren’t as important or effective as we make them out to be. Sometimes a good old fashioned email, phone call, or even in person “get-together” can accomplish things that social media can’t.

9. A man is only as good as his word. The currency of social media is trust (or social capital). And if people can’t trust you, you have no value to them.

10. Think twice before you speak. You can always say something, but you can never take it back. Especially in social media where everything you say can be heard by anyone, forever, there are just too many “finites” to not reconsider everything you say before you say it.

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I agree with you that social networking needs to be more open and used for networking. I personally have all my Facebook stuff set to private but that is because my Facebook is social and I do not want companies and the entire world reading everything that goes on my Facebook because I do not have control over what people post to my wall, etc. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Kinsey Durham
Intern- Beyond Credentials