By Mickey Stuewe, guest blogger for SQL Tailor Consulting

Professional networking has become a vital part of our careers. It provides ways for us to get leads for new opportunities. It helps us get support when we’re stuck on a project and the internet is failing us in finding a solution. And it offers encouragement when we’re struggling with imposter syndrome.

 But how do we build a professional network?

Professional Networks Start With One

A professional network is not built overnight, but it does start with just one person. The first person in my network was my soon-to-be husband’s cousin. I was newly out of college. The internet was not widely used yet, and job posts in the newspaper were just not cutting it. We were at a family event, and someone introduced me to Sandy. The company she worked for did Microsoft training.

While my degree was in statistics, this opportunity intrigued me, and I began my long journey in the field of programming. I started as a Microsoft trainer, which developed into being a software engineer and then finally bloomed into being part of the data profession — all because of the first person in my network.

While I was at my first job, I got to know a colleague named Chris. He was exceptional at professional networking. For years, I admired how he kept up with so many people we had worked with, and I never thought I would be able to maintain that many relationships. So, I started small.

At first, I met with colleagues for lunch or after work for drinks. As people moved on to other jobs, we exchanged phone numbers or emails to stay connected. As for Chris, we’ve worked at four different companies together. He helped me get an interview at Clarient, which was the fourth company we worked at together. This was my first BI job, and it completely changed the direction of my career.

Lunch Is a Networking Opportunity

At Clarient, I decided to do a deep dive into learning SQL Server and meeting others in the data community. Since I learn best in person—where I can ask questions—I started attending conferences. I would talk to other attendees while we waited for sessions to begin, and I talked to others at the lunch tables. I know this can be daunting, even for me, and I’m an extrovert. However, I was determined to network with others.

At my first SQL Saturday, which is a local one-day conference, I challenged myself to meet and talk to people. At the end of the day, I found out that there was a networking event at a local restaurant. I met several people at that event whom I still know today. They told me about PASS Summit, and I ended up attending later that year. At my first PASS Summit, I challenged myself not to eat a single meal by myself —even if that meant sending out a message on social media asking if someone wanted to meet to talk about SQL over a meal.

Spoiler: I didn’t eat a single meal by myself.

When I go to conferences, there are two techniques I like to use to remember who I’ve met. Bear with me — these may seem old-school, but they work for my memory when I’m overwhelmed by meeting so many new people:

• My business cards: I create personal business cards with my name, title, email, LinkedIn address and a picture of myself. This might sound a bit vain, but it helps as a visual cue when someone goes through all the “stuff” they brought back from the event and sees my card. I also make sure the back of the card is plain cardstock so it’s easier to write on.

• Others’ business cards: I try to write something about the person on the back of their business card to help me remember them. It could be that they always wore a Hawaiian shirt or that we spoke about execution plans at the event on Thursday night.

Professional Networks Build Communities

Speaking of conferences, getting to know others at events can lead to community involvement, which will also expand your network. You can volunteer to help at a conference — help is always needed. You can also speak at user groups, local events and larger conferences. Pick something that you know well and start locally.

If you’re not into speaking, start a blog or help people online with their professional problems. Between speaking at conferences, blogging for myself and blogging for others, I’ve landed three additional jobs and have been approached for contract work several times.

Over the last five years, I haven’t been to any conferences, but I still try to stay connected. LinkedIn and other social media platforms help. On LinkedIn, I comment on others’ posts, interact through direct messages and occasionally add new people to my network. It’s also good to know that people you add to your network don’t have to be in the same field as you. I’ve added claims specialists, account managers, service agents and other people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Their companies may someday need a data professional, and they’ll think of you. 

The last thing I’ll leave you with is this: the networks we develop are not just for us to use for ourselves — they’re also for helping others. Many times over my career, I’ve introduced people to help them land jobs, find mentors, and solve technical problems they’re facing at work. I’ve even used my network to find coworkers.

 Building a network can feel daunting in the beginning, but it will be worth it in the end. Start with one person and go from there.

SQL Tailor Consulting

Building a professional network is important to SQL Tailor Consulting, and so is helping other businesses succeed. If you’re looking for help on a SQL Server project or just need a quick consultation, we’d love to put our 25 years of experience to work for you. Contact us today at (248) 919-8086 or schedule a free consultation online. We’d love to add you to our network!