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How do you build a network that includes different backgrounds and experience?

How do you build a network that includes different backgrounds and experience?

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Jerome’s Answer

Go to general networking events that are put on by chambers of commerce or alumni associations. You will get a variety of people and in most cases you’ll already have something in common.
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Paul’s Answer

I believe that working within the non-profit system has assisted me in developing a network that includes people from different backgrounds and experience. Basically, people from diverse backgrounds and organizations.

You see, working with a variety of non-profits and volunteering with service oriented organizations, assists you in many ways. Non-profits basically reflect the needs of the the communities they support.

The people who work inside of them also come from a broader range of ideas and perspectives, which enables for better problem-solving and decision-making within the organization.

I also discovered that they improve connections with diverse stakeholders, and promote very innovative and equitable practices that strengthen the organization and its mission.

So working for the Non-profits has assisted me in developing a network, because they have a workforce, and leadership, that mirrors the community's diversity, and leads to more meaningful and effective engagement with their clients and employees.
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Karen’s Answer

So glad to see you're thinking about this important topic. My suggestion is to volunteer at a variety of events which may focus on different cultures, religions, or causes. You can build relationships with the people you meet by first observing them in your volunteer role, and then perhaps asking one or two to join you sometime for coffee so you can learn more about them and their beliefs. Some of those relationships may turn into long-term friendships as well.

With every good wish and many blessings!
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PwC’s Answer

- I think being curious about what is important to the other person is the best way to network with people who have had different experiences and backgrounds. Being curious and asking questions can be a great way to build that trust and respect. When someone thinks you are interested in knowing things about them, they open up and will work better with you. That curious behavior needs to be founded in empathy, and making sure if you use humor in the conversation it comes from a place of joy and even self-deprecating to yourself. This technique for me has worked well with people of different ages, nationalities, backgrounds and even interests. I have also found it has opened my eyes to new hobbies, music, TV shows and experiences that have made my life better and happier.

- I intentionally seek opportunities to connect with people from different teams, industries, and communities. This includes joining cross-functional projects, engaging in professional groups, and making time for informal conversations. By being curious and open-minded, I’m able to learn from diverse perspectives while also contributing my own, which strengthens the richness of my network.

- I build a diverse network by seeking connections with people from varied location, cultures, and roles. I listen and learn from their perspectives, collaborate across differences, and offer support. By staying open, curious, and authentic, I foster meaningful relationships that broaden insights and opportunities.

- I actively seek out conversations beyond my immediate circle, whether through cross-functional projects, firm networks, or community involvement. I try to approach each interaction with openness and respect, valuing what unique perspectives bring to the table. By creating space for others to share their experiences, I get the chance to expand my network but also give others another point of view while also growing my own understanding.
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Don’s Answer

Hello CVOH,

I believe that is always important to meet new people and have multiple different job experiences in life. I feel that this is the most important in growing your network and is a vital part of being successful in life. You always got to be able to expand your experiences and grow throughout life. That is how you grow your network!
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Gail’s Answer

It's great that you're thinking about building a diverse network! Mixing different experiences, like early career, mid-career, and more experienced people, along with various industries such as medical, technology, finance, and the arts, can really expand your knowledge and connections. Start by reaching out to your peers and leaders you already know. Next, make a list of companies you admire. Use LinkedIn to find people from these companies, and send them a connection request after checking out their profiles and the company website. Also, browse through LinkedIn posts to see what others are sharing, and connect with those whose values and purpose align with yours.
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Shilpa’s Answer

That's a fantastic question! Meeting people from different backgrounds and learning about their life experiences is a wonderful way to grow. It's one of the best opportunities for personal learning. Keep an eye out for chances to connect, whether at events like tech meetups, cultural gatherings, or educational seminars. Reading books and joining a book club can also open new doors. Try sitting with someone new at lunch or talking to someone you don't know. For your career, LinkedIn and other social networks are great tools. If you have a job, maintain your old connections and stay in touch.
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PwC’s Answer

- I believe that spending an hour with anyone is always worth the investment. Be interested. Be interesting. And be a great global citizen.

- This requires time and dedication. Think it starts with an open mind, listening, and demonstrating your openness to expanding your network. Then it takes perseverance and bravery to get out of your comfort zone and experience new experiences with new people.
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Erin’s Answer

Great question! It's wonderful that you're eager to expand your network. People often connect with those who are similar, but it's also important to include those who think differently or have different backgrounds. I've found great value in reaching out and talking to new people. There are many ways to meet others, like school events, social gatherings, professional groups, and online platforms. Building relationships is awesome, so remember to nurture and maintain those connections once they're made.
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Kari’s Answer

This is a wonderful question!

A few suggestions:
-Check out LinkedIn (or other career networks) to find folks who have careers that interest you and reach out to connect with them to learn more
-Get involved in your community, connect with folks and ask about their career journeys
-Connect with folks in clubs, sports, religious organizations, etc. to see where you have mutual interests
-Career counseling services at your school
-Make connections with folks outside of workspaces (ex: hobbies)
-Ask Gemini, ChatGPT, etc. with a focused prompt as a student in Palo Alto on how you can build more diverse connections in your career development
-Try something new
-Take a class (ex: pottery)
-Join a community group, event, gathering for a group that you are unfamiliar with and/or don't personally identify with -- this is a great opportunity to learn more

Kari recommends the following next steps:

Identify what diversity looks like to you - cultural, experience, etc. -- consider what you're missing as you think about your path forward
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PwC’s Answer

- When you are invited to attend a networking event, I encourage you to attend on your own. Don’t show up with a friend or a colleague. This will force you to walk up to someone you don’t know and start a conversation. I also encourage you to walk up to someone that doesn’t “look” like you so you meet someone different from you. This will push you outside your comfort zone.

- You must make purposeful decisions to expand your network. 1) evaluate who is in your network 2) expansion won’t happen on accident or if you stay in your comfort zone of friends / colleagues. 3) You must make decisions to do new things that put you in the presence of people that are not your current network. You don’t have to say Yes to everything but perhaps start with saying yes to one thing that you would have said no to as your first gut reaction.
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Je'Todd (JT)’s Answer

Great question! Building a network with people from different backgrounds is key to coming up with new ideas, solving problems, and growing in your career. It means reaching out beyond your usual group and being thoughtful about how you connect with others.

As a project manager, I work with people from all walks of life. Building relationships is the most important thing you can do anywhere. It might feel scary, but just saying hello is the first step to success. Be curious, ask questions, and get feedback to grow your network. If you're curious about someone's work, ask if you can spend time with them or set up a short meeting to learn more about what they do.
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PwC’s Answer

- Be always curious. Proactively reach out to people outside your usual circles and talk to people who are not like you, and apply your curiosity to ask them about their work and perspectives. It may feel uncomfortable to you initially, but you may find people do appreciate the care, that is, if you are sincere about it.
- Raise your hands to get on cross-functional projects or volunteer for community service projects, which will bring people together different roles, backgrounds and life experiences.
- Join affinity groups and professional associations representing different experiences and participate actively.
- Offer your help to others first, even simple things like sharing articles, dropping e-greetings for birthdays and holidays, or offering your help on a small task even when you might assume they have no need for you — people remember those who add value.
- Maintain relationships with periodic and personalized check-ins. Don't burn your bridges. Even after you finish a project or leave a company, you can continue to build relationships with former colleagues and leaders. My holiday hellos with a previous boss landed me a wonderful job at PwC.
- Set a simple goal for meeting or interacting with someone new from a different background per month or even per quarter and assess yourself regularly.
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PwC’s Answer

- Invite all voices to the table. Partner with as many collaborators as possible, not just those I've known the longest
Give my team the freedom to share their ideas, not just giving them a list of tasks so they feel ownership and investment in the outcome

- I try to build a diverse network by being intentional about stepping outside my usual circles. That means connecting with people from different backgrounds, roles, and experiences — not just those who think or work like me.
I stay curious, ask questions, and listen more than I speak. I also make a point to show up in spaces where I can learn — whether that’s cross‑functional projects, industry events, or informal conversations.
Over time, you build a stronger network by being open, respectful, and genuinely interested in different perspectives. That’s what makes the relationships meaningful, not just broad.

- I think this has to be an intentional choice. We can all choose to put ourselves in an echo chamber full of like-minded individuals who enforce and strengthen our own opinions. It's up to us to choose to hear different perspectives that challenge our thoughts. Perhaps these challenges will confirm our opinion, or maybe we it will shift your thought process altogether.
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PwC’s Answer

- Making sure everyone has a voice and everyone gets an opportunity to present their ideas, perspectives, and feedback on any project or discussion. I also try to make an effort to learn about the different backgrounds and cultures and experiences that my network may have to understand their perspective better.

- Keep an open mind for learn about other areas of the firm and the services we provide externally to clients.

- Join different groups, be open to talking to different people. Be a source where I listen to different backgrounds and cultures to see how I can relate and learn from and most importantly be curious but not judgmental.

- It all begins with getting to know our team members, whether they are associates or partners. I start by sharing about myself so they see me as a person first, which helps them feel comfortable and build trust. This, in turn, encourages them to open up, ask questions, and share any feedback they may have over time.
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PwC’s Answer

- Use every meeting, project, interaction as an opportunity to make a connection. Circle back with colleagues who you may have only interacted with a few times to ask questions or just say hello. You'd be surprised how quickly your network can grow.

- The key to building a diverse network is to seek opportunities to engage with and get to know people outside of your immediate circle. Asking questions, showing interest, and finding common ground are all good starters. Also and perhaps most importantly, don't limit your relationships to only engaging with individuals that believe in all the same things as you. We are find ourselves in a "bubble" - only reading, listening to, or socializing with things that we find comfortable -- and doing so inhibits not only the diversity of our network but also the diversity of our learning and view of the world we live in.

- Take a moment and notice who is joining you on calls - not to pay attention to who IS there, but who is NOT there. Take the time to ask people why an idea won't work or invite them to challenge a solution being discussed. Dissenting opinions can really create innovative solutions.

- Remain curious by asking questions that demonstrate you are interested in learning more about an individual. Ask them both personal and professional questions that get a level deeper than everyday conversation. This is a great skill to demonstrate your personability.
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PwC’s Answer

- For me, it starts with curiosity and intentionality. I actively look beyond my usual circles and patterns, seeking out opportunities to engage with new people, environments, and perspectives. By saying yes to new experiences and stepping outside of my comfort zone, I naturally encounter a wide range of voices and viewpoints. This openness not only broadens my network but also deepens the richness of my relationships.

- By learning from everyone's unique experiences! PwC has helped grow my network substantially by seeing all sorts of types of work and meeting many awesome coworkers.

- Expose yourself to different resinvest groups or seek out projects that are outside your normal comfort zone.

- By joining a variety of inclusion networks and volunteering my time to support teams and mentor others helps me build networks within PwC and outside of the firm. This allows me to grow and to be mentored as well.

- Being engaged and asking questions that show interest in people's histories in order to build relationships beyond the surface
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. This is a good question indeed.
Below are my suggestions:
1. You may have classmates or hallmates from different backgrounds keep the connection with them
2. Join the professional body and attend the seminars
3. Spend some time on voluntary work. You can meet people from different backgrounds
4. Explore opportunities to study or work overseas
Hope this helps!
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PwC’s Answer

- Be purposeful and deliberate to bring people into your network who bring skills, knowledge, background and experiences that relate to yours but are different, adding a new facet to your network.

- Be comfortable with not being comfortable. Remember everyone is has the same types of aspirations, although success looks different from one person to another. Be intentional in building a relationship with people who are different from you.

- Be open to new and different perspectives, be curious with people with diverse and different backgrounds and experience.

- As time goes on in building relationships it is important to truly understand peoples background and life. You can learn something from anyone both in work and outside of work.
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