I haven't really sat down to think about the number of people I have met in college thus far. When you really take the time to count it out, it rapidly becomes extremely overwhelming. Try it. Remember back to every person you met on your floor freshman year. Picture the faces of the people in your classes. Your professors, your TAs, your RAs. Your Rho Gams, your rush group. Your Greek organization. Your clubs. Your jobs, your internships. Your advisors and mentors. The randoms you stumble upon during weekend adventures. ... The list goes on.
The point is, that not a single one of those acquaintances was planned. We didn't chose to attend Arizona State based on the hundreds of people we had yet to meet. Those were all connections that we made along the way, picking them up haphazardly along our journey.
When you really think about how much those connections have given you, you realize the impact that all of those faces swimming through your mind have had on your college experience and, more than likely, the impact they will have on your future after college as well. I can honestly say that all of my jobs I have had during my collegiate years have come from friends and contacts that I made who referred me. They were the oh-so-cliche feet in the door that have granted me access to the internships, the jobs, the clubs, everything. I joined the organizations that I did because I heard from word of mouth from my connections about those opportunities.
In college, it is ever so important to take full advantage of these networking opportunities by forming many connections. To remember names and faces. To get to know people and to let them get to know you. Just sitting in the chapter room tonight, my sisters and I were able to pool our talents together to help each other on our different tasks. The business student offered recommendations for another's resume. The social media-savvy expert gave another sister tips on improving her online presence.
That being said, networking in college is a double-edged sword, especially in Greek life. You think your high school of 2,500 was small? Guess what, it's an even smaller world in college ironically probably the smallest at ASU. People talk, and more than likely it will be about you at some point. Sometimes I really wonder how sorority girls are stuck with the stereotype when fraternity men gossip more than old ladies around the bingo table. Take it with a grain of salt that not every connection will be a positive one. Most importantly, remember who you represent you every time you act and speak. So do you, and make the connections that will be a positive influence to your growth in college.
