Get Connected
By Allison Gallagher
College of Humanities and Social Sciences Student, Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Minor in Sports Management)
In a society that puts such an emphasis on who you know, networking has become one of the most important components to the job market.
No matter what industry you are in, networking is the best way to get into hard to find positions. The fact is, working your way up to your dream job can be incredibly grueling, but the relationships that you build are key to your personal success.
Some people are fortunate enough to have beneficial connections amongst their family and friends, but the majority of students put a lot of time and effort into finding those career ties.
Putting Yourself Out There
As a college student, networking is vital to getting a job in the industry that you want to work in. I have already learned on many occasions that connecting with one person can lead to another door opening.
It doesn’t come easy, and it takes full commitment, but you never know where an opportunity might lead you. Putting yourself out there and taking a chance is the first step in this process. The worst thing that can happen is that someone simply says “no.”
Taking advantage of internship opportunities and any job experience to create new networks is what all college students should be actively pursuing. Grand Canyon University provides students in different majors the opportunity to gain knowledge in various fields.
Finding Local Opportunities
Because Super Bowl XLIX was in Arizona, hundreds of students were able to get involved because of the connections that GCU provided. I, for one, was lucky enough to have the chance to work alongside Party Planners West during the Super Bowl to put on Super Bowl Central. By working for seven days with this group, I not only gained experience, but I was also able to add to my network of contacts.
Social networks, such as LinkedIn, are also incredible resources for anyone serious about their career. In addition to keeping your contacts in order, LinkedIn allows you to network with people who are in your desired field.
Preparing yourself by creating affiliations with others who share your passion will no doubt benefit you as you search for your perfect job.
Keep reading about modern communication! Check out our recent post, What is New Media?
More about Allison:
As a freshman in college, Allison Gallagher was already a credential media member with the Arizona Coyotes. Allison currently writes for the hockey website The Pink Puck as well as her own lifestyle blog, Girl Next Score. She worked under Party Planners West as an area manager at Super Bowl Central during Super Bowl XLIX. She will be a public relations intern for the Arizona Coyotes in fall 2015. When she’s not running from the press lounge to the locker room, Allison is an undergraduate at Grand Canyon University, studying for a BA in communications with a minor in sports management. She will graduate in 2017.
About College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Letters and Voices is a blog that explores the impact of communications and language in our daily lives. The choices we make in the communication messages we send and receive structure the nature of our relationships, drive our motivations and values in career and community, as well as create positive solutions to address current problems. We hope that you will find these blog entries engaging and thought-provoking as you reflect on the impact your own communication choices have in your life and the lives of those around you.