The Other Side of Networking

Contributor(s): Arushi Sachan (written in 2016)

[My Perspective is a series of reflections and interviews meant to depict different JMU globally-minded individuals’ perspectives of their JMU experiences.]

“The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity” - Keith Ferrazzi 

What are we at the end of the day? Humans; we are designed to interact with others in a social atmosphere as it is innate. But because dictionaries had to be invented, they termed the idea of this interaction as ‘Networking’. Oh and by the way, before we proceed, I am Arushi Sachan, a Sophomore student at JMU from Dubai, UAE and networking has been a huge portion of my life; what a pleasure to share my thoughts with you!

You and I, both have experienced the magnificence of meeting new people of all sorts- the like-minded ones, the total opposites, the extremely friendly ones, and the extremely introverted ones. Then what are we waiting for! Let’s dwell deeper on the uniqueness of the most common thing in our lives- Networking.

In 2014, a life-changing event happened to me; I found myself as a part of a very vibrant happy-go-lucky clan that accepted me in every way and gave me a home. If you haven’t guessed already, it’s JMU I’m talking about. The moment you walk in, you see smiling faces of people and nature ready to welcome you. Our tradition to hold doors open for people we don’t even know isn’t a rumor- yes, we make you our family.

In a Utopia like this, where not only flowers bloom, but friendliness does too, a good network is ensured. Few of good networking events I’ve been to are hosted by our Center for Global Engagement

1. Annual International Student Leadership Conference for Universities on the East coast.
2. Annual Rotary club dinner.
3. Over 60 Study abroad programs around the world visited by over 200 students each year.

But my opportunities to form connections from all over the world in one spot didn’t end here; I was lucky to attend JMU’s huge events such as Women in Leadership Conference, Business Etiquette Dinner, International Student Career Day & the Fall and Spring Career and Internship Fairs.

So creating a good connectivity amongst myself and others became my forte, thanks to JMU and its abundant opportunities. I joined the diverse clubs and organizations, Conversation Partner Program, LIFE Program, Marketing Madison Association, International Student Association (ISA), Indian Student Organization (ISO), Bridges International, and the Climate Justice Coalition to name a few.

I also work at the International Student & Scholar Services as a LINKer (Leaders for International Networking and knowledge) to serve as your link to the international community and JMU.

The biggest lesson I take with me through this journey every day, is that when the day is over and the night slips in, it is these connections that I find my life-long friends and family in- it isn’t business or anything to go on my CV anymore- it’s much more and much deeper than that. And that my friend, is the other side of networking. As Maya Angelou once rightly said: I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. I hope you join me in my journey as we make it ‘ours’.