Networking in Normalville

– Kate DiBiase

Within minutes of leaving home, I merged with caution, too much caution, to the point that I was almost creamed by a truck that had no intention of moving out of my way. My drive to Philly was stressful, clearly visible by my white-knuckles and flexed, 90 degree arms. Normalville, PA: population of just over 2,000. Never have I had to park on a street, let alone parallel park into a tight spot in a busy area. This summer I set out to not only learn something about myself, but to do something that scared me.

First, you may be wondering how a girl from a small town in Western Pennsylvania ended up at a PR agency just outside of Philadelphia. Well, in a town 15 minutes from my home, a very popular yoga class is taught by a man with a witty personality and a talent for making hot yoga fun. My mother and her friends, all regulars at this class, keep their eyes open for new-comers, so they can show them the ropes and invite them to join in the weekly ritual of going to the pub after every Thursday class.

One day a few months ago, they saw a new woman joining the class and made a point to invite her to the pub afterwards. And who was this newcomer? It was none other than Buchanan Public Relations President Anne Buchanan. As Anne discussed what she did, my mother’s friends made remarks about how their friend (my mother) had a daughter who loved public relations and happened to be looking for an internship. The seed was planted, and before I knew it, I found myself driving down a busy street looking for a spot to parallel park, so I could get to bed before the first day of my internship.

While I have been taking public relations classes, I still had the impression that I would be lacking certain skills that perhaps the other interns had learned already. This of course was just an assumption, based on no facts, and I was wrong. I have more valuable skills than I thought and it turns out that the unknown is a great place to learn something about yourself.

Small-Talk is your friend

Establishing relationships is a skill that dates back to primal times. Still, some of us are better communicators than others. Yes, the business world is serious, and yes you need to bring your a-game, but at the end of the day, a personal conversation is something to be enjoyed and will be something you remember. Knowing a handful of personal details about your coworkers’ lives outside of their work will in turn make working with them more enjoyable. You’ll be spending a lot of time with your coworkers, so it’s these small conversations daily that will eventually lead to stronger relationships and a better, more cohesive team.

If you don’t know yourself, how will someone else?

Think of yourself as a brand. What makes you different? What is it that you have to offer? Luckily for me, my mother’s friends know me almost as well as she does. So when the initial small talk happened, I had someone answering with what they have learned about me over the years. I am still learning about myself, but this first internship has helped me step out of my comfort zone and think about what I actually have to offer and what I need to develop. Being confident in the skills you do have and being open to improving in areas where you’re not quite as strong, will help your coworkers find projects that allow you to excel, as well as assignments that challenge you to be better.

Networking doesn’t have to be a formal event

Networking is essential for any career, and as I have learned, connections come from the most unexpected places. Whether you are at an organized event or in the grocery store – or even at a yoga class – be open to talking to those around you. The Public Relations field is one that places heavy importance on who you know, so always make sure you stay connected to those in your network and are open to meeting new people.

Have you ever been in a challenging position while in a brand new place? If so, comment below.