Using Networking to Explore Career Pathways

When I first got into cybersecurity, I knew networking was key—but I had no idea where to start. Like many newcomers, I attended tech mixers, thinking they would help me build professional connections. But I quickly realized most weren’t about career growth. Instead of meaningful conversations, it was drinks flowing, music blasting, and people just looking to have a good time. Nothing wrong with that, but when it came to career opportunities, mentorship, or valuable discussions? Not much was happening. I’d leave with a few LinkedIn connections, maybe a vague “we should catch up,” but no real progress. That’s when I started looking for networking spaces where people were serious about cybersecurity—and these three made all the difference: ✅ 1. Local Tech Meetups Attending smaller, niche meetups changed everything. These events were filled with professionals sharing knowledge, career insights, and opportunities. I met people who helped me understand certifications, job roles, and career paths. If you’re serious about cybersecurity, look for meetups specific to your niche—whether it’s cloud security, risk management, or penetration testing. ✅ 2. Conferences Conferences exposed me to a higher level of networking. Here, people weren’t just making small talk—they were discussing industry trends, new technologies, and real-world security challenges. I met hiring managers, mentors, and peers who helped me advance in my career. Attending at least one conference per year is one of the best investments you can make. ✅ 3. LinkedIn & Online Communities I underestimated the power of LinkedIn and online networking. Engaging in cybersecurity groups, commenting on industry posts, and setting up virtual coffee chats helped me expand my network fast. I found tight-knit communities sharing job opportunities, study groups, and industry insights. These conversations led to referrals, partnerships, and new opportunities I wouldn’t have found elsewhere. Key Takeaway: If you’re early in your cybersecurity career, be intentional about where you network. It’s not about meeting people—it’s about finding the right people who challenge and inspire you. 🔹 Skip the networking events that feel more like a night out 🔹 Attend targeted meetups related to your field 🔹 Go to cybersecurity conferences where professionals are serious about growth 🔹 Engage on LinkedIn and join communities where real discussions happen Your network can open doors you never imagined. Where have you found the best networking opportunities in cybersecurity? Drop your thoughts below! 👇🏾 #Cybersecurity #Networking #CareerGrowth

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿. 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸. That it was only for extroverts, salespeople, or those who knew the “right” people. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The truth? LinkedIn changed my career more than any job board ever could. From landing internships to publishing research and breaking into power & energy, the biggest opportunities in my career didn’t come from job boards—they came from building the right connections. Yet, so many professionals hesitate to network strategically because they: * Feel awkward reaching out to strangers * Don’t know what to say in a cold DM * Fear getting ignored or rejected I get it—I used to be the same way. But once I started using LinkedIn the right way, I landed mentors, internships, and research opportunities that shaped my entire career. Here’s How You Can Do It Today: ✅ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 * Look for professionals in your target field (engineers, hiring managers, senior leaders). * Use LinkedIn’s “People Also Viewed” section to find similar profiles. * Join industry groups to see who’s actively sharing insights. ✅ 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 Forget “Hi, can I pick your brain?” That doesn’t work. Instead, try this: 💡 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: “Hi [Name], I came across your profile while learning about [topic]. I admire your work on [specific project]. I’d love to hear your thoughts on [question]. Would you be open to a quick chat?” ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗠 * Like and comment on their posts genuinely * Share their work and add your insights * Make your name familiar before sending a message ✅ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 People respond better when you bring something to the table: * Share an article or resource relevant to their work * Offer a fresh perspective on one of their posts * Ask a specific, thoughtful question instead of just “Can you help me?” The Outcome: I’ve used this exact strategy to build meaningful relationships that led to: ✔ Internship opportunities before I even applied ✔ Research collaborations that boosted my career ✔ Insights from industry leaders that I couldn’t find anywhere else If you’re not leveraging LinkedIn for strategic networking, you’re leaving opportunities on the table. 💡 Try this today: Pick ONE person you admire, craft a thoughtful DM, and hit send

I sat across from a colleague who was on the verge of giving up on medicine. A brilliant mind, yet he felt trapped. What changed his path? Networking. Here’s how you can harness the power of networking to pivot your career in medicine. Whether you're an earlycareer physician or a seasoned practitioner, networking can redefine your trajectory. Think of it as building a bridge between where you are and where you want to be. Here are actionable steps to leverage networking: ✅ Start with your current network. → Reach out to mentors, colleagues, and even patients. ↳ You never know who might have the connection you need. ✅ Attend medical conferences and seminars. → Not just for learning, but also for meeting likeminded professionals. ↳ Use these events as opportunities to discuss your goals and aspirations. ✅ Join professional organizations. → Become active in groups like the American Medical Association or specialtyspecific societies. ↳ These groups often have career resources and networking events. ✅ Utilize social media platforms. → LinkedIn isn't just for corporate professionals. ↳ Engage in discussions, post your insights, and connect with peers globally. ✅ Seek informational interviews. → Identify and reach out to physicians who have made similar career changes. ↳ Learn from their journeys and ask for advice. ✅ Offer value before asking for help. → Share your knowledge, offer to help with projects, and be a resource. ↳ Relationships are reciprocal, and giving first often leads to receiving. Remember, a single conversation can open doors to new opportunities. Networking is not just about exchanging business cards. It’s about building meaningful relationships that can guide you to your next career milestone. Start today. Who will you reach out to first? 🔔 Follow me, Dr. Heath Jolliff, for more tips ♻️ Share with your network to help them

I tested 𝟭𝟬𝟬+ 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 (During my last job search and as a career coach). These 𝟱 get the highest response rates, especially from hiring managers👇 1. The Profile Viewer Message Check who viewed your LinkedIn profile. They’re already aware of you, don’t let that warm lead go cold. Try this: "Hey [Name], I noticed you stopped by my profile, appreciate you taking a look! Curious, was there something specific that caught your eye, or are you open to conversations around [industry/topic you're exploring]?" 👉 Tip: Warm > Cold. Always start with people who’ve already shown interest. 2. Acknowledge + Ask Find something unique about their background or a recent post, and ask a question. "Hi [Name], I saw your talk on [topic], your insight on [specific point] stuck with me. How did you land your current role at [Company]?" People love talking about themselves, especially when you show genuine interest. 3. Value First Offer a useful insight, article, or trend that aligns with their work. No ask, just value. "Hey [Name], I saw your post about [topic]. Just came across this article, it touches on a similar trend. Thought you might find it interesting." Position yourself as thoughtful, not transactional. 4. Mutual Connection Approach Bridge a real mutual connection or shared experience. "Hi [Name], I noticed we both worked with [Person] / went to [School] / worked in [Company or Industry]. I'd love to learn more about your path, especially how you made the transition to [Role/Company]." Relatability opens doors faster than credentials. 5. Compliment + Curiosity Start with a specific compliment, then open the door. "Hi [Name], really enjoyed your article on [topic], especially your point about [detail]. Are you open to connecting with people exploring similar roles in [industry]?" It’s respectful, direct, and makes it easy for them to respond. Reminder: You don’t need to spam 100 strangers. Start with 10 meaningful messages a week. Track responses. Iterate on what works. Focus on warm leads, shared interests, and genuine curiosity. What template would you like to see next? If you're ready to level up, let’s position you for the roles you actually want. ➕Follow Jaret André for more daily data job search tips.

I landed 2 internships with zero experience in data. Not by applying. But by learning how to network — one conversation at a time. 📌 If you’re not at from an Ivy college, 80% of companies at your career fair won’t sponsor. That’s not unfair — That’s just how it works. 👉 Your job is to find the 20% that do. I focused only on that 20% at two career fairs. And I walked away with two internships. 📍 How I Started With Zero Network Just arrived from India. No U.S. experience. No connections. No idea how hiring worked. But I was extroverted. And I genuinely cared about people’s stories. So I started with what I had: → Friends from undergrad in the U.S. → Family friends in any industry → My cousin (data scientist in Australia) → Anyone who could connect me to a sponsor-ready company 💬 My cousin gave me advice I’ll never forget: "Stop building Titanic survival analyses. No one cares. Build projects that show how you think like a business person — not just a coder." So I picked real problems from real industries. And I focused on insights that could help teams make actual decisions. My 3-Step Networking Process: ✅ Step 1: Start with warm contacts I listed 15 people I already knew. And booked as many calls as I could. 🎯 One day in class, I gave a thoughtful answer. My professor, Jason Cirilo, said: "That’s a great take. Let me introduce you to someone in the industry." He connected me to Rakshit Goyal! That one intro taught me more than any textbook would. Now he shares great job search content on LinkedIn — go follow him. ✅ Step 2: Attend everything — even irrelevant events I went to every event on campus. Not because they were useful. But because I needed reps. Every awkward conversation made me better. I stopped rambling. I started asking better questions. ✅ Step 3: Use LinkedIn — but do it right → Engage with someone’s posts for 3–4 days → Send a connection request with context → Follow up after they accept with a good question 📬 The Realities of Outreach → 20% response rate is normal → Follow up after 5 days → If no reply after 2 follow-ups, move on — no emotion You don’t need a perfect resume. You need 100 real conversations. Start before you need the job. Because by then, it’s already too late. 👇 What’s your biggest challenge with networking as an international student? Drop it below — I’ll reply to a few directly. 📸 One of the proudest moments from this journey and a bucket list moment: Having my family visit me at American Airlines HQ. They saw where I work. I saw what it meant to them. #InternationalStudents #NetworkingTips #CareerFair #JobSearchStrategy #F1Visa #NetworkingForStudents #CareerAdvice #InternshipSearch #LinkedInNetworking #GradSchoolLife #PersonalBranding