Why attending networking events is important

Let's talk about networking.

Networking can be daunting, uncomfortable and feel unnatural, especially if you’ve never attended one before. But there are many reasons why it is important to attend networking events early in your career.

Some professionals may think they can be a waste of time, but this can be due to many reasons, such as they are not attending relevant events or the events 'lack focus'.

They say work smarter not harder. So be smart in the way you approach your networking and attend events that will help your professional development.

Here are three reasons why networking events can benefit you:

Connect with like-minded professionals

People often thrive at networking events because they are meeting like-minded individuals in informal environments.

These events allow you to meet professionals in your industry, as well as provide you with the chance to connect with them outside of work.

Make sure you provide them with a business card and then send them an email or connect with them on LinkedIn after the event. Once connected, send them a message asking to pick their brains about the industry and see if they have time to catch up (and that coffee is on you!). 

This helps develop your interpersonal skills but grows your connections in the industry.

Learn new industry trends and ideas

Whether you're new to the industry or an experienced professional, attending networking events with people from different jobs can give you different insights including what is happening in the industry, and what others are focusing on.

Usually there is a guest speaker or a panel of professionals who can provide you with wisdom or new ideas. It's important to take away these learnings and, if appropriate, apply them to your everyday work or personal life.

Re-awaken your love of the industry

Attending these events can show you how your career can develop. Listening to the guest speakers’ experiences and how they got there can inspire and overwhelm you at the same time. You may go home thinking, "yikes - how do I get from A to Z in the same amount of time?" but also think, "if they can do it, why can't I?"

Connecting with high achievers can help reinforce why you are in the industry. Meeting professionals who are in the same line of work as you, but in a completely different industry can open your eyes to see what other opportunities are out there for your career.

There are many events out there to get you started on your networking journey.

Start by looking for industry body events. Or if you’re at university, look at associations or societies that are relevant to your industry. These are bound to hold a few events a year.

At Elevate, each team member aims to attend one networking event each month. This is to ensure we stay top of mind and continue growing our relationships with like-minded professionals in our industry. For more tips on networking, read our blog on getting the most out of your networking interactions.

Elevate also manages full-suite events, so no matter your industry, we can help support you with your next networking, launch or conference event.