A Continuing Series on Career Preparation
by KARA ALLEN, CSU Communications Public Relations Assistant
Graduating Seniors! Congratulations and kudos for sticking with your college education during this whirlwind of a year. You’ve earned it!
A couple weeks ago, we discussed utilizing the Minnesota State University, Mankato Career Development Center) to prepare yourself for graduation: developing a resume, looking for jobs, etc. If you missed it, the link is here: https://blog.mnsu.edu/csu/graduating-senior-checklist/
This week, I was able to speak with Dr. William Broussard, the associate vice president of University Advancement at Minnesota State Mankato, about social networking before or after graduating college while trying to enter your career.
So often, we hear the expression “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” When talking to Dr. Broussard, I was able to get his take on the true implications of this phrase as well as how to grow a social network.
- What is your take on “it’s not what you know, but who you know?” I’ve heard this phrase turned even further to be stated as it isn’t what you know or who you know, but who knows what you know. I suppose that’s accurate, as knowing people may get you in the door or some favorable advantage or consideration unless the person who knows you also knows you to be foolish, incompetent, and uneducable.“
- What is the best way to start developing a social network? “If by this you mean how to grow a professional network, I must say I am not a fan of high volume networking – collecting names and business cards and introducing yourself to people and circulating resumes in high volume – not only because its disingenuous, but because I largely believe it to be ineffective. Folks should decide what they’re interested in, what their professional and philosophical missions are and what kind of folks they like carrying on with, and assemble groups that way.“
- What is something that new college graduates do not think about/recognize when developing their social network? “I doubt that young folks think often about mentorship and service because mentorship seems like something you do in your 30s and 40s. And service seems, to many, like something you do after you get rich. I also don’t think they think much about philanthropy, again, because there’s a sense that this is something you do after you get rich. I wish I had someone to direct me otherwise as a young college graduate and inspire me to consider these things more thoughtfully.“
- What are your favorite business platforms and locations for growing your social network? “I have never thoughtfully assembled a social or professional network, and I’ve never felt compelled to. I have found many people in the professional world to be solipsistic and selfish, ungenerous when you need them the most and helpful only when it somehow benefits them more. As a result, I have always believed in working hard, doing good things, and being generous whenever possible, and allowing for that to be its own kind of magnet to like-minded people. I am pleased with the group of folks I’ve aligned myself with using this approach and wish I’d adopted it sooner.”
- What is your best piece of advice for graduating seniors? “Avoid ‘On My Grid’ headass people at all costs. These people only talk about their successes and never their failures, curate an image of themselves that is unhealthy, surreal, and not worthy of envy. They are stressed, anxious, depressed, unhappy, and measure wellness and success by their adherence to late capitalist notions only. But come on with no relationships, friendships, joy … but only work above everything … what a pitiable, empty existence. Work as little as possible to sustain the life that you want and reserve as much time for rest, reflection, enjoyment, and quiet as you possibly can, and do it from Day One.“
Minnesota State University- Mankato Career Development Center homepage: https://mankato.mnsu.edu/university-life/career-development-center/
