NetworkingConversationsbyMiguelRodriguez
For4HMariachiSTEAMSummerCamp
Introduction
Why is Networking Important?
● Practicing your communication skills.
● Learning about other people, their skills, career paths, goals, etc.
● Learning about a variety of things that can support you, the other person, and/or your communities:
○ Career-related i.e. jobs, mentorship, informational interviews, networking opportunities, and more!
○ Volunteer or community-based opportunities i.e. camps, art projects, new friends, sense of belonging and purpose, and more!
Starting a Conversation
My “Professional Bio”
MiguelRodriguez(akaMikeFirm)isaPortland-basedcreativeandeducation professionalwithafocusonmultimedia,storytelling,racialequity,andcommunity building.Duringthepastdecadehehasworkedinsecondaryandhighereducation, aswellasthemuseumandnonprofitsectors.
Heleadshisworkwithsystems-level,community-led,andrelationship-based practicesandvalues.Miguel’sroleasadesigneristonotonlyhighlightthepervasive systemsthatadverselyimpactourconditions,buttoalsotakeactionablesteps towardscreatingnewandjustfutureswithhiscommunities.Thisrequiresan interdisciplinary,collaborative,andpeople-centeredapproachthatcenters designjusticeandparticipatoryframeworks.
MiguelcurrentlyworksatRISEPartnershipastheirDirectorofStaffLearningand Equity,andhehasanMFAinCollaborativeDesignfromthePacificNorthwest CollegeofArt(PNCA)andaBSinMathematicsfromPortlandStateUniversity.
My less formal “Bio”
During a Conversation
Be an active listener by:
● Not interrupting unnecessarily.
● Not preparing a response while they’re sharing; be present with them.
● Trying to understand why the topic / conversation / etc. is important to them.
Don’t force it:
● Read their body language: pay attention to their stance, facial expressions, etc.
● If you’re not vibing with the conversation, that’s okay! Kindly try to change the topic and/or end the conversation. IT’S OKAY!
Be genuine and authentic:
● People connect with others when they’re themselves and not someone they aren’t.
● If you’re looking for an opportunity, lead with that; people can tell when someone has an ulterior motive or reason.
Ending a Conversation
Things to do:
● Thank people for their time and/or for taking the time to speak with you!
● If appropriate, ask if you can follow up with them. Sometimes they may give you a business card.
● If you think someone else you know should connect with this person, ask them if they’d be open to it.
Questions to consider
:
● Do you need to follow up with them?
● What did you learn from this interaction? About yourself, the other person, etc?
● How did the other person interact with you? Are there things they did effectively that you want to practice next time?
