Networking has been regarded as a powerful tool for career growth. For someone who has a vision of succeeding in the career world, it is important to have skills and a clear strategy-and networking is among the approaches that can help you climb the corporate ladder. Experts say that people who have made networking their sole priority have been able to build careers relevant to their set goals. Dr Opiyo Andala, the dean, School of Education at Mount Kenya University says for one to be able to reach their goals, they should consider building their network as well as creating a good relationship with others. Having your current level of success in a certain discipline doesn’t mean that you have achieved a lot because there is more to that which can be acquired through networking, he says. He says it is essential to first learn and understand how other people with a similar career as yours and positions have attained their present height. Doing this takes one back to the essence of networking, he adds. Importance of networking First of all, networking allows one to access opportunities they might not be able to find on their own, Andala says. He points out that one’s network has the potential to provide them with insight into different fields, information on what potential employers look for and advice on how one can improve professionally and in other areas as well. “Networking not only influences growth in one’s status but also paves way for better opportunities in their career,” he says. Fred Omondi, the founder of Arc Grid Consultant LTD, an engineering company based in Kigali believes that growth in a resourceful career calls for training and certification garnered from networking. He notes that networking can also help build self-confidence. When networks are created, he says it fosters a trade of ideas that sustain long-term relationships and mutual trust. “Receiving such ideas helps you both in and out of your place of work, this happens in addition to instilling best practices that smoothen your career as an individual,” he says. He goes on to note that individuals that seek publicity in different areas should leverage more on networking. Omondi says people quickly notice others that have stronger capabilities to make them relevant. “When you stand out in both your expertise and the services you offer, it creates room for partnership which in turn builds a career,” he notes. The engineer cites that it’s important for any person to understand how to nurture their networking strength and create more visibility for different associates and clients in their career path. This, he says, helps open doors for newer opportunities and that career-minded individuals and those in business with a strong network have been able to expand with minimal effort because of new networking opportunities they have created. On the other hand, Eliud Kayishema, an entrepreneur in Kigali says in the business, there are opportunities such as meeting the right clients or even meeting people that are superior to your career path. This, according to him can be a stepping stone that could change one’s life for the better. Besides, Kayishema notes that as people network, it opens their minds and one keeps on learning every day. “The intellectual ability in different careers are significantly improved upon from connections we have built with other people over a period of time,” he says. He notes that people should also not look down on simple interactions with other people; he says this can be an opportunity to transform along with research work which in the end can result in a breakthrough. Andala says people who have been able to share ideas have strongly developed their intellect to foster growth in their career path and unleash the creative talent in them. He adds that it’s ideal to understand that developing your career status is a long-term process and that this depends on how one focuses on their networking path. “Those who have made it in their careers, I believe a big percentage of them is as a result of the status they have developed when it comes to networking,” he says. Omondi says when it comes to confidence and self-esteem, networking is key as it contributes to all of these. “The self-confidence that has been built over time can help put one on a positive spot whenever they interact with others in their career. This also allows one to excel well during interview sessions for a job opportunity in case of any,” he says. Over time, Omondi believes that the more one networks effectively, the more they build self-confidence, which is a vital skill to possess as an individual. “If networking is a mutual relationship, then having the right networking channel can help build your career,” says Kayishema. He further notes that making it a two-way process of giving and taking can open the door for a firmer relationship with others.
