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Gen-Y Perspective: How Does Gen Y Network?

Career Education — 03 May 2010

Hannah DeMilta is the Site Manager & PR coordinator for Sports Networker.com. Currently a senior at Otterbein College, she is passionate about community service & learning how we can use communications & technology for social good. Hannah also loves tennis, scrapbooking & travel. Feel free to connect with her via Twitter @HannahDeMilta

Observing my peers at Otterbein College always gives me ideas for new blog topics. Lately I’ve been having some issues with the way that some young people (especially college students) take to networking. I’m not sure if these are common issues for all Gen-Y or if they are just characteristics of individuals. This is what I see:

1) I only “network” when I need something. Senior year hits and suddenly every college student who has been sleeping for the last three and a half years realizes they better make some contacts if they want to land an entry level job. They network out of necessity, as if it’s something to mark on a checklist. A friend recently mentioned to me that she no longer feels the need to network or use her social media profiles now that she has a job secured. It’s treated as an on and off switch instead of being integrated into a lifestyle.

2) Networking becomes a game of always asking. Some of my best advice would be to first build relationships. When you need something later you will have friends to ask. There doesn’t always need to be an agenda when it comes to meeting people. Give yourself the chance to be open to new ideas and people. If you are really ahead of the game, take the extra step and ask yourself how you can help others.

3) Students only see the option to network at events labeled networking events. Yes, these are a good place to start but I’m a proponent of turning any type of gathering or social event into a networking opportunity. You don’t need to show up to happy hour with your resume, but it also doesn’t hurt to have extra business cards with you. You never know who you’ll meet. Again, why can’t it become more of a lifestyle instead of an on/off switch?

I’ll admit that there is nothing wrong with having a purpose or agenda when you network, but there is a time and place for it. I also network because I like meeting people. It’s genuine and I think most people can recognize that. As a soon to be graduate, I’m now turning to my network for help and advice with my job hunt. I know that not all college students have the same approach to networking, but I wonder why I often see it among my peers.

Do you think it comes from lack of experience? Is this specific to Gen Y? What have you observed?

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  • http://carleemallard.com/ Carlee Mallard

    Hannah, I really think that it has more to do with the college students not being well-versed in appropriate networking. People (my elders) have been telling me for a LONG time how important networking is and how it's all about knowing the right people. For me though, it didn't really kick in until I found a way to integrate “job-hunt networking” with “lifestyle networking”. There's a point, that comes with experience I think, that you just start to realize the value in networking on a more general level.

  • http://www.everydaypublicrelations.com Kristina Summers

    I find that many of my younger classmates do see networking as something they “do” not something that is actually a lifestyle, which can make things pretty tough when you consider that these days, most of them will not have careers like their parents did. Most Gen-X'ers and Gen-Y'ers will bounce around a lot more so it is even more important to develop real relationships rather than to just network when it is needed or convenient.

  • http://thesmartcollegegrad.com/ Dain Lewis

    Great article Hannah! I totally agree with seniors suddenly waking up after being asleep for the past 3 1/2 years. I almost think that reality doesn't sink in sometime until even after graduation. The attitude by many of these college students and seniors probably comes from the fact that they are never taught this important skill. One of the best pieces of advice i have read is from 'The Four Hour Work Week' “Be interesting, by being interested.” More selfless and in turn one gets more jobs by interested in others. Thanks for the great post!

  • http://millennialresourcenetwork.blogspot.com MillennialResourceNetwork

    Hannah, I completely concur with this. As a Gen Y-er myself I know that I nor the majority of my friends have any idea how to network. I think it has a lot to do with not knowing when to ask for help. Or rather the idea the networking is all about asking for help as you point out. I think the relationship side of networking we get, I think it is how to effectively use a network in a time of crisis is where we fall short.

    Great post, I will RT on FB and Twitter!

  • Kinsey Durham

    I agree, too Hannah! As a Gen-Yer, I know that networking is this thing that we hear about constantly but maybe do not know how to use it to the best of our advantage. I love the advice and you make very good points. We need to learn to use social media and meet-ups to bring networking into the 21st century. Cleaning up your FB page is a good start because you never know who is looking at your party pictures questioning what you do on the weekend:) I am looking forward to more posts…

    Kinsey Durham
    Intern- Beyond Credentials

  • hannahdemilta

    Thanks for the comments everyone!

    @Kinsey – Good points – I would challenge Gen Y to treat “cleaning up their Facebook” as a minimum action step. It's starting to be (or should be) common sense for job seekers at this point. How can we go above and beyond in our use of social media? Showing up isn't enough. Thanks for the feedback :)