Networking with Peers in Your Field

I didn’t know a single person working in research, policy, or international relations. No network. No referrals. Just late-night Google searches, LinkedIn deep dives, and a lot of awkward messages sent into the void. But somehow… ✅ I landed research roles my field ✅ Won a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship to study in the UK ✅ Attended global conferences hosted by Harvard and UNDP I didn’t crack networking. I built it, slowly, quietly, without pretending to be someone I’m not. And here’s are some things I wish someone had told me earlier: 1. Show up before you feel ‘ready’. I started posting when I had no big wins to share, just thoughts, reflections, questions. That built more trust than polished highlight reels ever could. 2. Network like a researcher, not a job-seeker. Before messaging anyone, I’d read what they wrote, watch what they said, and think about what I could learn, not what I could get. 3. Create proof of interest, not just intent. Instead of saying “I’m interested in xyz” I wrote about it. Posted about it. Took up projects around it. That way, when I reached out to people, they already knew I meant it. 4. Don’t just meet people, map them. I kept a check of people I admired: what they worked on, where they moved, what fellowships they did. Not to copy but to learn the terrain. 5. Add value, quietly. I’ve shared links. Introduced people. Given feedback on essays. Never expected anything in return. And months later that generosity came back in surprising ways. 💬 What’s a networking tip you swear by or one you’re still figuring out? LinkedIn Guide to Creating LinkedIn News India #LinkedInNewsIndia #Networking #research

Ten years ago today the United Nations established International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Depressingly, women today make up only 35% of STEM graduates - a figure that has not changed in ten years. I talk a lot about gender equity in tech, and I considered using today to highlight why we need more women in STEM…. but let’s be real, progress is slow, and the 35% already here need support now. Getting a STEM degree is one thing; turning it into a career is another - especially with tech bro culture still at large. I’ve had my own highs and lows as a woman in tech. It hasn’t always been easy. So, while I can’t close the STEM gender gap overnight, I can share the advice I wish I’d had when I was starting out - hoping it helps the next wave of female STEM grads. What I would tell my younger self if I was starting off now: You’re not always going to fit in and that’s fine. Do not shrink yourself to play the role others expect you to play. You got your degree from your own skills and work, so back yourself to be your own person. She got you this far. Being different is good and will ultimately be your greatest strength. Don’t assume you can’t do something just because you can’t do it YET. It’s easy to put off going for the job because you don’t tick all the boxes, but you can learn to tick those boxes. The longer you work, the more you realise everyone is learning as they go; don’t hold yourself back because you’re not the perfect fit right now. You can be, with some practice. Start building a network as soon as you can. I cannot stress the importance of finding mentors and like minded peers to support you in your career. Jobs will change and careers will sometimes move in entirely different directions, but the connections you make and the relationships you build will always come in handy. The earlier you start, the better your network will be.

Working in a male dominated environment can be intimidating. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency statistics tell a clear story. Women make up 47.9% of employed persons in Australia, but the workforce participation rate is lower for women at 62.1% compared to 70.4% for men. Additionally, women are often in more flexible or part-time roles and are underrepresented in male-dominated industries like construction, mining, and transport. I loved my recent chat with fellow working mum, Rebecca Bangura on the Working Mumma podcast on how to succeed in male dominated environments. Rebecca is passionate about supporting female leaders rise up in male dominated environments after first hand experience. Top 5 takeaways from our chat: 1️⃣ Find Your Anchor in new environments Entering a new environment, especially where you're one of the few women, can feel intimidating. Having just one connection—a colleague or fellow woman—can provide a sense of stability and confidence. I shared how I organized a "female walk the floor" at a male-dominated industry tradeshow to help women feel confidence in numbers and more empowered to engage in the event. 2️⃣ Men and women network differently - Build a Diverse Support Network Men and women create connections and networks differently. As working mums, we are busy and often don't have enough time for our close friendships, let alone creating new ones. Women tend to focus on deep connections, whilst men are more happier and comfortable with loose connections, built around sport or their surrounds. Rebecca advocates for women to create more 'loose connections' in our professional lives. In business, so often it is not about what you know, but who. LinkedIn is a great place to help form networks and don't be afraid to send a DM and introduce yourself. If you meet someone at a networking event, connect and be sure to follow up to maintain the loose connection. 3️⃣ Seek Male Allies Don’t hesitate to find male allies who believe in the importance of diversity. As Rebecca emphasized, they're not doing you a favor by supporting you—they're contributing to a healthier, more inclusive industry. These connections can become advocates for you, helping to implement real change from their positions of influence. 4️⃣ Speak Up Courageously It can be uncomfortable, but calling out bad behavior or systemic issues is crucial to creating lasting change. As Rebecca put it, "Nothing changes if nothing changes." Your voice is important, and by speaking up, you're helping pave the way for others who may face similar challenges. You are also role modeling for fellow women, please know you are not alone. 5️⃣ Prioritize Self-Care It’s also important to carve out time to disconnect and be fully present with your family, something all of us working mums can relate to! Listen now to episode 135 of the Working Mumma podcast.

Disappointed is an understatement. This weekend, I was angry. Here’s why: I came across a list of “30 cybersecurity professionals worth connecting with” posted by an award-winning Women’s “Cyber Champion." Out of the 30 names he promoted, only 3 were women. When I called him out, his response? “I don’t have a lot of females in cybersecurity to list here.” (Yes, that’s a direct quote. From someone with a network of over 100k connections. ) Let’s talk about what it really means to be a champion: ☑️ It’s not about excuses. ☑️ It’s about action. ☑️ It’s about representation. Here’s the thing, I’ve made mistakes too. In one of my first semesters of teaching, a student called me out for hosting only white-presenting subject matter experts in a technical class. I was deeply disappointed that I had not realized this myself. But I listened. I learned. And the next semester? I did better. And every semester after that. Diversity of thought matters. Representation matters. Seeing yourself in your mentors, teachers, and role models matters. The hard truth: You can't call yourself a champion if you’re not actively advocating for underrepresented voices. So, how do you show up? Start here: #1. Learn from your mistakes. #2. Follow organizations like: ✨ BlackGirlsHack / BGH Foundation ✨ Latinas In Cyber ✨ Latinas in Tech ✨ Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) ✨ Women in Security and Privacy (WISP) ✨ Women + Cybersecurity = Women's Society of Cyberjutsu You don’t need to be a woman to support women in cybersecurity. Grow your network. Make connections. Bring change. The work is yours to do. P.S. Stop referring to women as “females”! 

Nobody Tells You This About Breaking Into Climate Policy & Global Advocacy – An African Perspective You work hard. Attend the conferences. Build experience. Yet somehow, it still feels like you’re on the outside looking in. Because in climate policy, expertise alone isn’t enough. This space runs on unspoken rules that no one warns you about. If you’re a young African passionate about climate action, here’s what I have learned along the way: Your voice matters more than your title. I have been in rooms with world leaders and policymakers. The ones who make an impact aren’t always the most senior, they’re the ones who ask the right questions and bring fresh ideas. In Africa, where young people are often told to “wait their turn,” this is even more important. Speak up. Your solutions matter. Most opportunities don’t come from applications—they come from action. Some of my biggest breaks didn’t come from filling out forms. They came from showing up, taking initiative, and proving my value before anyone asked. In places like Zambia, where formal opportunities can be limited, create your own. Volunteer. Start something. Visibility isn’t bragging—it’s how change happens. You can lead groundbreaking projects, but if no one knows about them, they won’t open doors. Document your journey, share your insights, and tell your story. If we don’t showcase African climate leadership, who will? Adaptability is more valuable than expertise. Policies shift. Funding changes. Crises emerge. The people who thrive in climate advocacy are those who can pivot, learn, and respond quickly. Africa is on the frontlines of climate change—resilience and innovation are our superpowers. Stop waiting for permission. There’s no “perfect moment” to start. If you have an idea or a perspective that needs to be heard—put it out there. Want to break into this space? Here are some opportunities to explore: 📌 Global Climate Fellowships – Programs designed to equip young leaders with the tools to shape policy and drive climate action. https://lnkd.in/g5qqTZXi) 📌 International Climate Conferences – If you want to influence global policy, you need to be where decisions happen. https://lnkd.in/g-KGP9qi 📌 ImpactShip – A curated list of funding, fellowships, and climate leadership opportunities straight to your inbox. Sign up here https://lnkd.in/gs_BsZSA) Africa has the solutions the world needs. It’s time we take our place at the table. 🌍✨ #ClimateAction #AfricaLeads #ClimatePolicy #YouthInLeadership #ClimateAdvocacy hi

𝗠𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 — But I only realized It years later: As a child, I stood in a meadow. I was captivated by all the wildflowers. My grandmother turned to me and said: “𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴? 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗜 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆: Transformation never occurs in a single system. It happens 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀. Possibilities emerge in the space in-between. That meadow only existed because of the interaction between the village houses and the forest canopy. And in that 𝗶𝗻-𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲, something new and beautiful emerged. Just like in an 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. These bridge sectors, disciplines, and perspectives to co-create systemic change. It's been two years since my TEDx talk, where I first introduced this story. Since then I explored weaving more deeply. 𝗦𝗼, 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗜'𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗱: 1️⃣ 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 The meadow thrives. But, only because its roots interconnect beneath the surface. In networks, the soil is trust, purpose, and relations. We need to invest in what’s beneath the surface. ✔ Slowing down to unlearn. ✔ Trust-building and belonging. ✔ Mutual support, not just efficiency. 2️⃣ 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 Bees carry the pollen to spark new life. Many networks fail because ideas get trapped in isolated bubbles. In networks, weavers move knowledge, resources, and innovation move across silos. ✔ Bridging different fields. ✔ Creating shared learning. ✔ Encouraging many hubs of action. 3️⃣ 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼-𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 The meadow could not flourish without sun, water, and the right conditions. Similarly, networks need support. Think investment, visibility, and infrastructure. If networks lack those they struggle to sustain impact. ✔ Sustaining resource flows ✔ Designing support systems. ✔ Making weaving more valued. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 But only if we nurture it. Let's weave! Watch the full TEDx talk: "How to create systems change together" on YouTube 💬 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂: Where have you seen transformation emerge between systems? What are your favorite weaving practices? Drop your thoughts below! 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲? 👉 Connect, tag someone & join the Systemic Shift Newsletter (Link in my bio)

💡 "How do I even join these big global events?" If you've ever asked yourself this while 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙙𝙄𝙣 and seeing posts about the 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀—trust me, you're not alone. I’ve been in the international policy space for a while, even interned at the UN, and I still found the pathways to participation super blurry. But guess what? This time I’m attending the Action Days, and 𝙸̲ ̲𝚠̲𝚊̲𝚗̲𝚝̲ ̲𝚝̲𝚘̲ ̲𝚜̲𝚑̲𝚊̲𝚛̲𝚎̲ ̲𝚠̲𝚑̲𝚊̲𝚝̲ ̲𝙸̲ ̲𝚕̲𝚎̲𝚊̲𝚛̲𝚗̲𝚎̲𝚍̲ ̲𝚜̲𝚘̲ ̲𝚢̲𝚘̲𝚞̲ ̲𝚌̲𝚊̲𝚗̲ ̲𝚐̲𝚎̲𝚝̲ ̲𝚒̲𝚗̲ ̲𝚘̲𝚗̲ ̲𝚝̲𝚑̲𝚎̲𝚜̲𝚎̲ ̲𝚔̲𝚒̲𝚗̲𝚍̲𝚜̲ ̲𝚘̲𝚏̲ ̲𝚎̲𝚟̲𝚎̲𝚗̲𝚝̲𝚜̲ ̲𝚝̲𝚘̲𝚘̲. It wasn’t easy—I had to tap into my network and ask around for advice on how to actually get involved. Now that I know, I want to make it easier for others, especially young leaders looking to make their mark. So, here are 5 practical steps to help you access events like this (there’s even still time for events like Climate Week!): 1️⃣ Start Early: Deadlines come up quickly—don’t wait! Keep tabs on event announcements, especially for stakeholders and young leaders. 2️⃣ Tap into Your Network: Don’t hesitate to reach out to those who’ve been there before. It’s how I figured things out myself! 3️⃣ Get Connected with Relevant Organizations: Joining an advocacy group or NGO aligned with the event can often get you a foot in the door. 4️⃣ Explore Virtual Options: Not in the area? No worries! Many events are now hybrid, so you can engage from anywhere in the world. 5️⃣ Stay Persistent: If it seems unclear, keep pushing. Ask questions, seek out mentors, and keep advocating for access. My goal with this post is to make sure that access to global platforms like this becomes more transparent and inclusive. These spaces are where decisions that affect our future are made—we need to be part of the conversation. I’ll be at the Action Days, and I hope to see more of us—especially young leaders—there next time. Let’s keep pushing for better access for all. 💬 If you have questions or want to learn more, feel free to drop a comment or message me directly! AND 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲? #OurCommonFuture

I keep getting asked, so here are 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝟱 𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 later this month. It's already September, and you've forgotten to plan for the biggest week in Climate, but don’t worry! Whether you're into activism, solutions, art, or policy, try these ideas and see how they work for you: 𝟭. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘁𝗵, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵. Push yourself to network outside your usual circles. You never know when luck will shine on you. I got involved early with Alec Turnbull and the Climate Film Festival, and those connections have supported my climate investing mission multiple times over. If I had only attended investor events, I would've missed amazing climate angles that only the arts community saw. 𝟮. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀’ 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲. Your friends might already be organizing, sponsoring, or paneling at events, giving them leverage with the hosts. If you must attend an over-subscribed event, your network is your best friend. Don’t know which of your friends are attending? Steven Zhang from ClimateTechList has a great hack for figuring that out! 𝟯. 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆. The best events I’ve attended (or hosted) had less than 20 people. Why? You get to know people better, they become your friends, and they help you next time around. Large events can be overwhelming, so immerse yourself in someone’s story, or share your own with a stranger. You might get more out of it than expected. My hack? Host dinners. If food isn’t your thing, try parks, walks, or coffee dates! Kate Russell and Nicole Kelner are amazing resources for these sorts of ideas! 𝟰. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲. It can be tough, especially if you’re from out of town, but leave room in your schedule. You might meet someone and get invited to an event you didn’t know about or didn’t think you could attend. These unexpected events can have a dramatic impact on your week. Last year, my friend Nick Gogerty from CarbonSig invited me last-minute to panel at the UNFCCC on carbon removals—it ended up as one of the most memorable events I participated in. 𝟱. 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻! Climate work can fill anyone with existential dread, but it’s crucial to find joy in what we do. My trick? Don’t take myself too seriously, surround myself with ambitious people, and see how many of them I can get to sing karaoke together 🎙 Whatever your version of fun is, give yourself the grace to find it. If it wasn't for fun, I wouldn't have learned that Jacob can beatbox, Zoe can sing, and Jackie can dance! If you try any of these, let me know if it was helpful (or not!). And if you have advice for first-timers at Climate Week, please 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀! Links to all the relevant materials in the thread below. See you at Climate week!!! #climate #climatetech #climateweeknyc #nyc #fun #karaoke

💰 Fundraising as a female founder? Here’s what you need to know about how deals really get done. I came across this study recently by Harvard Law School that looks at how VCs make their investment decisions (link below in comments). And it illustrated something that I have personally seen and heard from many of the female founders we work with: 🤝 30% of deals are sourced through professional networks 🤝 20% come from other investors 🤝8% come from existing portfolio companies 😮 That's nearly 60% of investment deals start through relationships 😮 And here is a not so surprising fact: most investors are men. The problem is that most professional networks tend to reflect the people in them. So if the majority of angels and VCs are men, the deals flowing through their networks—and getting funded—are more likely to be with founders who look like them. This means female founders are disadvantaged before we even walk in the room. This is why it’s so important to have more women writing checks—especially at the angel stage, where warm intros and trusted referrals carry a lot of weight. Those first networks can give female founders a powerful boost down the road. That’s exactly why Caroline Hughes and I started Womankind Ventures: our mission is to help more women become angel investors - leveling the playing field and backing brilliant female founders that come through our network. This is also why I love being a part of Alma Angels, founded by Roxane Sanguinetti and 😃 David Fogel - they are also doing incredible work to build bridges between underrepresented founders and investors who get it. Rebalancing the odds won't happen by accident - it has to be done deliberately and with intent. So what do you do if you're a female founder who is fundraising:  🚀 Focus on building genuine investor relationships - and use these relationships to help you navigate the investment process 🚀 Prioritize communities that are designed to back women but also look for allies who can bring you into networks of men 🚀 And most importantly - focus on converting every meeting you secure. It will be harder to get in the room to make the most out of every meeting by using the right methodology to turn interest into money. 💰 Want more fundraising advice? Join the 3100+ female founders already in the Hive Founders network. Link below in comments. #femalefounders #fundraising #angelinvesting #womankindventures #almaangels #womeninbusiness #startups #inclusivecapital #venturecapital #RaiseWithHive Michelle Kuei, MBA Alice Ivanoff-Boardman Hannah Amies Jacqui Meskell Sarah-Marie Rust Sandra Falque Katie Payne Maureen Blandford Sophie Bruce Rachel Bautista

Top 10 Tips for Women to Build a Strong Power Network   As we continue with our series, remember that in today's world, building a powerful network is like finding the perfect pair of shoes—it will help you stand tall and provide the support you need to go the distance. As President & CEO of AAHOA I have seen firsthand how strong networks drive growth, foster collaboration, and open doors (the kind that do not require a secret knock).   For women, a strong power network is not just about who you know—it is about who helps you grow, challenges you to be better, and opens doors you did not know existed.   Here are my top 10 tips for building a strong power network:   Be Intentional Approach networking with purpose. Set clear goals—whether for career growth, skill development, or mentorship—and target connections who align with your objectives, but also for whom you can provide support and insights. Think of it as curating your closet—everything should fit and support your style.   Leverage Existing Relationships  Your current network—family, friends, and peers—holds untapped potential. Sometimes your best connections are sitting next to you. Ask: "Who do you know that I should be introduced to, and how can I do the same for you?"   Join Women-Centric Networks  Women-focused networks offer a space for shared experiences. Groups like AAHOA's HerOwnership empower women through meaningful connections. Be part of a community that lifts you up.   Seek Out Mentors and Sponsors  Mentors provide guidance; sponsors advocate for you. Do not be shy. Many influential leaders are honored if you ask them for guidance and support.   Attend Conferences  Conferences are great for establishing thought leadership. Make an effort to connect with a new circle of colleagues. Do not underestimate the power of a great conversation over conference coffee.   Embrace Social Media Social platforms like LinkedIn allow you to connect globally. Stay active, share insights, and build relationships and visibility—all from the comfort of your couch.   Give Back Networking is reciprocal. Giving back strengthens connections. It is like sharing a great vacation destination—everyone benefits.   Be Authentic Authenticity builds trust. Focus on meaningful connections. Ask about their favorite books and movies or their favorite conspiracy theories! Find out about their career aspirations, and see if you can help them achieve goals along the way. Go beyond the superficial and have a great time connecting in new ways.    Overcome the Confidence Gap  As women, we often hesitate to promote ourselves. But your voice is valuable. Set goals and build confidence. Think of it as working out—start small and soon enough, you are lifting more than you ever thought possible.   Stay Committed Networking is a continuous process. Just like learning a new skill—practice makes perfect.   Conclusion  Building a strong power network is essential for success. Take charge today—the possibilities are endless!