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5.3: Networking and Building Relationships

  • Page ID
    44444
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    In sociological practice, you will need to develop and maintain people skills. This means you must learn to listen, communicate, and relate to others in a professional environment. People skills are essential for networking and building relationships, which is the foundation for improving the lives and social conditions of people.

    Networking and building relationships is part of everyday work for a sociologist (Viola and McMahon 2010). With the focus on helping people, you are responsible for nurturing professional contacts aimed at solving social problems and treating people you serve with integrity and respect. Your role as a practitioner will require you to form linkages, make connections, expand resources, and bring people together to employ interventions and change (Viola and McMahon 2010). The purpose behind networking and building relationships is to exchange information, obtain advice, and make referrals.

    There are several ways to build a professional network and relationships. When you are starting a career as a sociologist consider asking family members, friends, former and current professors or other university connections, and employers to mentor or provide you with meaningful contacts in the community such as organizational leaders. Contacts and networks may also develop by participating in unpaid community work or attending professional conferences. Your network may be the key to connecting you with the job and career pathway you seek (Steele and Price 2008).

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    This image "Women Wearing While Sleeveless Top and Black Pencil Skirt Facing Woman Wearing Pink Sleeveless Top and Black Pencil Skirt on Wall" by mentatdgt is licensed under CC BY 4.0

    The number and types of connections you make with people will influence the opportunities and access to the work you want to pursue. Build your contacts and develop you reputation with care to establish credibility so others will want to help and open professional doors and opportunities for you. Maintain contact and regularly follow-up with your network regardless of need, so relationships stay intact for those instances requiring assistance and support.

    1. Make a list of people in your personal and professional network (e.g., family, friends, current and former professors, employers, etc.).
    2. From your list, pinpoint the people that could help you establish professional connections leading to your career interest or dream job. Discuss mentorship or apprenticeship opportunities you might be able to develop. Describe the type or kind of connections they could help you establish in the community.
    3. Identify the types of contacts or resources you are missing or need to develop to build your professional network and relationships. Whom might you contact in your current network that could lead you to new or missing connections?

    5.3: Networking and Building Relationships is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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