What Networking can do for You

Call it nepotism.  Call it shmoozing.  Call it kissing up, brown-nosing or simply shameless self-promotion, it all comes down to one cliche:  It's not what you know, it's who you know.  

I know that's not something most people want to know.  I know I certainly didn't, when in my final few quarters of art school many of my more business-minded professors started seriously driving that point home and my careers counselor started pushing me to go have informational interviews, join design groups and introduce myself to people in places.  

First of all, I was a student who had clearly proven herself to be one of the top creatives in my class.  My work was regularly featured in display cases, my teachers heard about me before I even attended their classes, and I even got the occasional hateful glare from classmates that clearly had NOT sacrificed a week's worth of sleep and a social life to their projects, as I had.  My hard work and dedication had gotten me recognition and opportunities during my matriculation -- why shouldn't they elsewhere?

Second -- I'm an artist...which, in this case I am using as code for 'I have occasionally crippling social anxiety'.  Now, I'm not saying ALL artists are shy and/or anxious...but I know a lot of creatives lean that way -- likely because while the other kids were happily playing volleyball in the sun or having awesome pool parties at someone's mansion, or whatever it is young adults that can handle crowds do, we were at home watching movies about what it's like to be a young adult while drawing, writing, reading, sculpting or elsewise improving our craft.  However, what it comes down to is, I don't LIKE introducing myself to people in places.  I wish I was smooth and socially confidant, but in large party-like settings I don't know who to talk to or how to hold my arms.  I have to remind myself not to slouch, but usually forget.  I blush and get all blotchy.  I don't know what small-talk to make.  

Now I'm sure that if there ARE young creatives reading this, a number of you are nodding your heads in smug agreement.  "See!  We aren't cut out for shmoozing!  Our skills should set us apart!" 

And here is where I tell you that EVERY good creative opportunity I have gotten since graduation was as a direct result of connections I had made, in school and out.  

When I graduated, I was pretty confident.  I mean, my teachers loved me.  I got best of show at portfolio review.  My mommy liked my work, and that still counts for something to me.  So, I started sending out resumes with at least SORT of directed cover letters and sample sheets of my design and illustration work.  I figured I'd start getting interviews right out of the gate.  

By the flippant tone of the above paragraph, you can probably guess that was not the case.  I had one quick, underpaying freelance job I found on my own, and a couple interviews -- one for freelance and one for an utterly AWFUL job (I know because an ex-classmate of mine got hired) where they didn't call me back to finish my incomplete interview (their fault, not mine) until the person they hired before me quit, then left 500 voice mails trying to get me to call back.  

On the other hand, through the hard work and contacts of my career counselor, I got the job I have and love, as well as two other full-time design opportunities, either of which would have been a good job -- one in particular would have been very fun -- and one really good freelance bit which I didn't get, but one of my illustratively inclined classmates did (A classmate that, as a side note, I may be working with on a DIFFERENT project some time this coming year).  Additionally, I did an illustration for the Pittsburgh Irish Festival at the behest of one of my teachers, who happens to have his own design studio, and may be doing more work with one of his designers in the future.  

Most recently, I met a girl at a friend's flopped Hallowe'en party.  She was drinking, there were 10 people there, tops, and I didn't even have my business card with me.  Turned out, she is a graphic designer for a college, and we exchanged websites on a piece of napkin.  A couple weeks later, her boss contacted me for an art job.  It's just a little job, I'm working in an unfamiliar medium (glass painting) and don't ENTIRELY know what I'm dong, but if she likes working with me, who knows where this could lead down the line? 

The problems with my feelings about networking, pre-graduation were that while, yes, my skill and dedication had gotten me acclaim as a student, school is a closed system.  For one thing, you mostly don't have to convince your professors to take you on as a student -- you just sign up for the class you want, and then show your stuff -- even if you have to audition or show a portfolio, you know that your work IS going to be looked at, which you don't when applying for a job.  Also, while in school...you are ALREADY networking.  Like I said, it's a closed system.  Remember how I mentioned teachers knowing who I was before I even started their classes?  That's because I distinguished myself in one class, and that teacher spoke to his or her colleagues about my work.  Most of the teachers, at least in the design department, knew me even if I hadn't taken a class with them.  

As for the social anxiety, that's just something you have to deal with.  It sucks, talking to people at events can be hard -- do it anyway.  And always make sure people you know know what you do, and ALWAYS have your business cards with you, even if you are just going to a friend's Hallowe'en party.