Module 3: Professional Networking
Introduction
Time required
- 1 long session (1.5hr)
- 2 30min sessions to work on emails
Learning Objectives
Resources
- Animated video about “the strength of weak ties” theory in business
- Another video about Informational Interviews (same thing as “coffee chat”)
Module Download
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Module Overview
Module 3.1: Professional Networking
| Learning Event | Activity | Timing |
| Set Goals | What do you think is networking and how would you go about it? What do you feel about it? | 10 min |
| Connect to Prior Knowledge | Exercise: Who is in your network | 3 min |
| Present and Organize Content Information | Lecture: Strong ties, weak ties, linking ties, and mentorship/sponsorship: – Strength of weak ties – Being a mentor/being mentored Lecture: Reframing networking: – Reframing networking as relationship building and making friends – It’s an exchange and both sides offer value (you offer value to people who are looking for mentorship opportunities) – Sharing content is a way to connect with people Meetups and LinkedIn | 20 min |
| Take Action and Monitor Progress | Story/example of linking ties – someone new to the US, what advice would you give them? | |
| Synthesize and Evaluate | Exercise again: Who is in your network Conversation: What do you think is the role of social media and algorithms in your network? About expanding your network: – Networking is about getting to know people but also about an exchange – you have something to offer, too – It’s a way to answer your questions – What questions to you have about your journey and what you want to do? – Informational interviews/coffee chats | 3min 10 min |
| Extend and Transfer | Watch videos about informational interviews: Watch: Informational Interview Tips: Scheduling, Example Questions to Ask & More! | Indeed Career Tips (12 mins) Review the collected list of contacts – next time we write emails together |
Module 3.2: Writing Emails (30 min)
A safe way to build confidence writing emails and talking to people you’ve never met
- Example email template for an email to someone you’ve never met
- It’s important for you to find people that are meaningful for your particular career journey, but this is a start
Reflection and Homework
Reflection
Answer these questions to help you reflect on informational interviews and professional networking:
- Before each informational interview, write some questions / intention for the meeting
- After each informational interview, write about what you learned and a next step
- What do you think is the role of data in professional networking, particularly when using social media for networking?
Session Homework
- Over the next couple of weeks, email 3 people to request an informational interview from people in the spreadsheet and connect with them on LinkedIn if they indicate that’s okay.
- You need to check your email and schedule the meeting yourself. Ask for help if needed.
- Do your research about them and their company
- Prepare your informational interview questions
- Don’t forget to ask if they know anyone else you should talk to
- Email 2 people from the list for one of the items they offered to help with (i.e. informational interview, mock interview, resume feedback, or invite them to speak for a career chat Zoom Q&A)
- BCC me on the emails for feedback, or send me the text beforehand to review!
- Note: you can also email someone you want to speak with who is not on the list, just make sure to email two people!
- Send your resume to someone for feedback (either Jan or this can be one of your emails from the list above)
- Research our speaker, Ebonie Butler, and think of some questions for her. Particularly check out her Twitch streams about learning programming.
- Connect with her on LinkedIn (mention you are from DataWorks in your message)
- Think of some questions to ask about her career and about having an online presence – keep these in your personal notes to reference later (10mins)
- BONUS: Submit an application to one job by next Monday (this will be a requirement for next week…might as well get ahead and submit two 😉
Module 3: Professional Networking
*Mobile Version*
Introduction
Time required
- 1 long session (1.5hr)
- 2 30min sessions to work on emails
Learning Objectives
Resources
- Animated video about “the strength of weak ties” theory in business
- Another video about Informational Interviews (same thing as “coffee chat”)
Module Download
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Module Overview
Module 3.1: Professional Networking
| Learning Event | Activity | Timing |
| Set Goals | What do you think is networking and how would you go about it? What do you feel about it? | 10 min |
| Connect to Prior Knowledge | Exercise: Who is in your network | 3 min |
| Present and Organize Content Information | Lecture: Strong ties, weak ties, linking ties, and mentorship/sponsorship: – Strength of weak ties – Being a mentor/being mentored Lecture: Reframing networking: – Reframing networking as relationship building and making friends – It’s an exchange and both sides offer value (you offer value to people who are looking for mentorship opportunities) – Sharing content is a way to connect with people Meetups and LinkedIn | 20 min |
| Take Action and Monitor Progress | Story/example of linking ties – someone new to the US, what advice would you give them? | |
| Synthesize and Evaluate | Exercise again: Who is in your network Conversation: What do you think is the role of social media and algorithms in your network? About expanding your network: – Networking is about getting to know people but also about an exchange – you have something to offer, too – It’s a way to answer your questions – What questions to you have about your journey and what you want to do? – Informational interviews/coffee chats | 3min 10 min |
| Extend and Transfer | Watch videos about informational interviews: Watch: Informational Interview Tips: Scheduling, Example Questions to Ask & More! | Indeed Career Tips (12 mins) Review the collected list of contacts – next time we write emails together |
Module 3.2: Writing Emails (30 min)
A safe way to build confidence writing emails and talking to people you’ve never met
- Example email template for an email to someone you’ve never met
- It’s important for you to find people that are meaningful for your particular career journey, but this is a start
Reflection and Homework
Reflection
Answer these questions to help you reflect on informational interviews and professional networking:
- Before each informational interview, write some questions / intention for the meeting
- After each informational interview, write about what you learned and a next step
- What do you think is the role of data in professional networking, particularly when using social media for networking?
Session Homework
- Over the next couple of weeks, email 3 people to request an informational interview from people in the spreadsheet and connect with them on LinkedIn if they indicate that’s okay.
- You need to check your email and schedule the meeting yourself. Ask for help if needed.
- Do your research about them and their company
- Prepare your informational interview questions
- Don’t forget to ask if they know anyone else you should talk to
- Email 2 people from the list for one of the items they offered to help with (i.e. informational interview, mock interview, resume feedback, or invite them to speak for a career chat Zoom Q&A)
- BCC me on the emails for feedback, or send me the text beforehand to review!
- Note: you can also email someone you want to speak with who is not on the list, just make sure to email two people!
- Send your resume to someone for feedback (either Jan or this can be one of your emails from the list above)
- Research our speaker, Ebonie Butler, and think of some questions for her. Particularly check out her Twitch streams about learning programming.
- Connect with her on LinkedIn (mention you are from DataWorks in your message)
- Think of some questions to ask about her career and about having an online presence – keep these in your personal notes to reference later (10mins)
- BONUS: Submit an application to one job by next Monday (this will be a requirement for next week…might as well get ahead and submit two 😉