My colleague Katie put up an excellent post about public interest networking last week.  It reminded me that I was asked several months ago to explain networking’s usefulness.

I’ll go into the answer I came up with below.  First, though, for context, I will note that I was diametrically opposed to the concept of networking while in law school.  In fact, I refused on principle to use the word “network” as a verb.  Six years later, my professional network is by far my most valuable asset.  This is in large part due to the fact that I have come to disassociate “networking” (which allows us to achieve professional goals by working with others) from “schmoozing” (which allows us to learn how to hold a wine glass and plate in one hand while shaking hands with the other).  I thought networking and schmoozing were one and the same.  I was wrong.  Networking is a necessary undertaking for professional success.

Why Network?

To build lasting relationships that will open up professional growth opportunities (including employment) and allow you to most efficiently achieve your professional goals.

Let’s unpack this:

1. “…lasting relationships…” – networking allows you to cultivate relationships with peers, mentors, and others that may endure for some time and from which you may continue to reap rewards.  It is an opportunity to learn from another person and to tap into their professional network.  So, perhaps it’s best not to always be giving the hard sell about yourself when networking, but rather demonstrating a genuine interest in others and a desire to learn from them.
2. “…professional growth opportunities…” – by meeting various practitioners and other actors in the public interest arena, you are exposed to different practice settings; you learn about employer organizations, their missions, and challenges they face; you identify areas of need where you can make an impact; and most importantly, future friends, colleagues, and mentors get to know you, which will open doors in the future.  (Remember that when you get to know others, you’re also letting them get to know you.  If those others like what they are getting to know, they will tell folks in their professional network about you.  So in some sense you are “networking” even when you’re not present and not speaking.  Other people are networking for you.  Pretty easy, right?) 
3. “…achieve your professional goals” – you get a remarkable amount of business done by working with and through others.  Both in practice and in my current job at NALP, I would be frighteningly less efficient if I could not call on professional contacts for their insight, their expertise, and for introductions to folks in their networks (who, you see, become part of my network).   And here, we see that networking is not necessarily about self-promotion.  The strength of your professional network has a direct impact on your ability to help clients. Having a more experienced attorney on hand to run questions by…having a law firm willing to accept a pro bono case when you are short on resources…having the direct-dial of a judge’s clerk to check up on a filing…these things are absolutely invaluable to you and your clients.

And if none of that moves you, jobs are to be found through the “hidden market,” in which those hiring would rather do so through recommendations from their networks.

If you’re a natural schmoozer, then by all means have at it.  Schmooze away.  If, like me, you’re not, then think of networking as an invaluable way to make yourself a more efficient, effective public interest advocate. 

– Steve Grumm

p.s. Harvard Law School’s Bernard Koteen Office of Public Interest Advising produces a public interest networking guide, which is a very helpful “how-to” tool.