The Business of Business Schools
Generally it seems everyone hates networking, yet they say it's the best way to grow your business, get a new job etc. etc. Since I'm in the market for a new job last Thursday I found myself in San Francisco at a Carlson School Alumni networking event. I have to admit that in addition to the job market networking I was curious to see what other Carlson School people are out in the Bay Area, as I have never met any. In typical networking event fashion, upon entry you received a name badge and were offered the opportunity to drop in your business card for a raffle. When registering I had to give the name of the company I worked for, so I put down the name of the last company I was at, which led to lengthy explanations when people asked me about it.
The first thing I did upon entering the room of people standing around talking to one another was head to the bar. This give me something to do while surveying the scene and opens up the chance to meet someone else headed to the bar. On the way there the Dean introduced herself to me which was nice. Sure enough while pouring myself a glass of wine, a man who had also just arrived also helped himself to some wine and so we started a conversation. I noticed that his nametag said he was at a company my previous company had done business with so it was an easy segue into the conversation for which I was thankful. We stood a little off to the side and talked for a while, which also gave me more opportunity to look over the scene. Business schools always do things right, bottles of wine, beer, sparkling water, sodas, trays of tasty appetizers just the right size to fit in your mouth and not so messy as to embarrass yourself. It looked very much like many of the events I stood around at while a student.
I always feel uncomfortable in a room full of people chatting with one another as I don't know how to smoothly break into a conversation, and what if no one wants to talk to me. At this networking event, it seemed everyone shared the same fears and so people were very forthcoming in introducing themselves and starting conversation. Most of the conversations centered around where do you work, how long have you been out here? We did afterall have a commonality in moving from Minnesota to California. universally everyone I spoke with said they were never moving back. This sentiment I believe differentiates the group in the room that night from your average Minnesotan. And it shows we all had a certain degree of willingness to take a risk, maybe even a little sense of adventure.
After about an hour the Dean spoke for a few moments on happenings at the Carlson School. She also took a few questions and expressed a wish to create more of a sense of community among the Bay Area Carlson group. Then another woman said a few words and announced the raffle winners. Each item was held up and a business card picked - a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, some computer cooling feet, and lastly a Carlson School hoodie which got a large aaah! from the crowd. She reached into the bowl, and called out my name!! I was so happy, it felt like being rewarded for having put aside all my nervousness and fears to come to the event.
Shortly after the raffle, I left. Though the sweatshirt was a good conversation starter as I was making my way to the door. In total I spoke with maybe a dozen different people that evening. Some just briefly, others more at length. I collected a few business cards. Probably not any real job leads but I felt proud. I had practiced my conversation skills with other business people. I had stepped out of the usual shy box I am in and succeeded. I went to a networking event and I actually enjoyed it!!
The first thing I did upon entering the room of people standing around talking to one another was head to the bar. This give me something to do while surveying the scene and opens up the chance to meet someone else headed to the bar. On the way there the Dean introduced herself to me which was nice. Sure enough while pouring myself a glass of wine, a man who had also just arrived also helped himself to some wine and so we started a conversation. I noticed that his nametag said he was at a company my previous company had done business with so it was an easy segue into the conversation for which I was thankful. We stood a little off to the side and talked for a while, which also gave me more opportunity to look over the scene. Business schools always do things right, bottles of wine, beer, sparkling water, sodas, trays of tasty appetizers just the right size to fit in your mouth and not so messy as to embarrass yourself. It looked very much like many of the events I stood around at while a student.
I always feel uncomfortable in a room full of people chatting with one another as I don't know how to smoothly break into a conversation, and what if no one wants to talk to me. At this networking event, it seemed everyone shared the same fears and so people were very forthcoming in introducing themselves and starting conversation. Most of the conversations centered around where do you work, how long have you been out here? We did afterall have a commonality in moving from Minnesota to California. universally everyone I spoke with said they were never moving back. This sentiment I believe differentiates the group in the room that night from your average Minnesotan. And it shows we all had a certain degree of willingness to take a risk, maybe even a little sense of adventure.
After about an hour the Dean spoke for a few moments on happenings at the Carlson School. She also took a few questions and expressed a wish to create more of a sense of community among the Bay Area Carlson group. Then another woman said a few words and announced the raffle winners. Each item was held up and a business card picked - a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, some computer cooling feet, and lastly a Carlson School hoodie which got a large aaah! from the crowd. She reached into the bowl, and called out my name!! I was so happy, it felt like being rewarded for having put aside all my nervousness and fears to come to the event.
Shortly after the raffle, I left. Though the sweatshirt was a good conversation starter as I was making my way to the door. In total I spoke with maybe a dozen different people that evening. Some just briefly, others more at length. I collected a few business cards. Probably not any real job leads but I felt proud. I had practiced my conversation skills with other business people. I had stepped out of the usual shy box I am in and succeeded. I went to a networking event and I actually enjoyed it!!
| 11:07
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