Directions: Networking has many different components. From creating a business card and introduction to finding new places to meet people, networking may seem difficult for beginners. Having a plan to follow can help make this process a little more comfortable. For this assignment, imagine yourself as a young teenage girl who is wanting to become a nurse and is creating her own networking plan. Follow each step as directed and review the information if necessary.

STEP 1: Begin by thinking about how you would introduce yourself to a potential employer or business contact. Besides your name, what is the most important thing you want potential employers to learn about you? What sets you apart from other potential employees? Write a networking introduction for yourself of approximately 3-4 sentences. For example, My name is John Smith. I am a high school graduate interested in science and computers. I am looking for a part-time job to work at while I attend school. I am interested in your company because you market computer programs.

STEP 2: Next, create a sample business or introductory card or brochure that you could hand out to potential employers. Include:

• your name and contact information (address/phone number/email)
• a created business name (example: Scott, Inc.)
• or line of work (example: marketing)title (example: Customer Service Rep. I)
• appropriate logo (such as a flower for a florist)
• Be sure to turn in your card to your contact teacher to receive credit for this Activity.

STEP 3: Next, create a list of three places you could go to network. Be specific. For example, the Fresno State spring job fair NOT job fair.

STEP 4: Create three questions to ask people you network with such as, What do you do for a living? or How did decide to work in that profession?

STEP 5: Finally, create three networking goals for yourself. An example might be creating and posting a resum online or speaking to one new person each week at school.

STEP 6: Now, put your networking skills into practice. Find three people with which to practice networking. With each person, even if you know them well, practice your networking introduction and ask for their opinion on what you can do to improve. (For example, making eye contact, speaking louder, telling more about your skills) List the advice you were given (at least two separate things you can improve on).

STEP 7: Finally, take the questions you came up with in STEP 4 and use them to interview each person interviewed in STEP 6 of this activity. Summarize the answers you were given in each interview. (For example, In interview number one I found out that Maria works as a hairstylist at a local salon. She has done this for four years. She trained by working in a salon for a year and attending the local beauty college. She plans on opening her own salon someday.”)