Networking Networking Networking....

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122937013420507837.html
"Ways Job Seekers Can Find Old Contacts"
-By Dana Mattioli
Wall Street Journal

This Wall Street Journal article discusses the importance of networking during a person's career. It was inspired by people who have been laid off during the recent economic situation. These are professionals who have worked for the same company or few companies over their career life. When these people found themselves without work, they realized their networks were a little stale. Some contacts were difficult to track down, and they found themselves facing dead ends. The article recommends, however, that people continue to network with people throughout their careers. Also, for these people who are in that situation now, they must continue trying and making connections with other business professionals. This includes reconnecting with people from the past, and Decemeber and January are a great time for that. Online networking sites, including LinkedIn and Plaxo, are a great help with getting reconnected with people, and even being introduced to their friends. It also stated that individuals should not give up, and to continue meeting people, putting themselves out there, and not be afraid to alk to those they haven't spoken to in years.

This article intrigued me because, as a soon-to-be (hopefully) recent grad, I have only thought of networking now to get that first job. I guess in my first-job state of mind, I feel as though networking is just something you do to get that first job, and then it is downhill from there-no more effort needed. Articles like this make me realize that a career is a process, and I will be moving around as part of my career growth. Also, it seems as though the internet is allowing job-seekers to have opportunities more readily available to them than ever before. They can search the internet for jobs, and now they can network and meet people through this medium as well. I have heard a lot about LinkedIn through networking events here at ONU and through professors, and to hear of its popularity in this article as well convinces me even more that it is a tool that can help a multitude of people connect to each other.