10 answers
13
Updated 1056 views

How impactful is networking?

I'm Shiloh, a 7th grader who hopes to pursue a career in aerospace and eventually become an astronaut. Currently I'm building my portfolio to get a scholarship that can boost my career.

Students are often encouraged to build strong networks, but it can be difficult to understand the real impact, in aerospace or any related fields, how much do professional relationships influence career opportunities, and in what ways? Are there any opportunities, mentors, internships, jobs, or projects that you likely would not have obtained without the relationships you built along the way?

scholarships careeradvice networking aviation careerplanning careergrowth aerospace professionaldevelopment opportunities educationmatters scholarshipopportunities mentorship portfolio networkingtips professionalnetworking jakarta buildyournetwork
Answer This
13

10 answers

0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Teklemuz’s Answer

Be an active participant in class and engage in projects, hackathons, student clubs, and competitions to build credibility through consistent involvement in STEM-related activities. Stay curious, adaptable, and sociable, while maintaining a clear goal to guide your direction and growth. Networking begins with simple conversations with people around you, such as teachers, local leaders, or industry professionals, by asking thoughtful questions about their experiences and avoiding requests for immediate opportunities.

As you progress, connect with professionals through events, university sessions, aerospace conferences, guest lectures, LinkedIn, and mentorship programs. Joining platforms and organizations such as NASA STEM Engagement, European Space Agency Education programs, Space Generation Advisory Council, and Zooniverse provides structured exposure and hands-on learning opportunities. Informational interviews and follow-ups help build long-term relationships that can lead to mentorship, internships, scholarships, research opportunities, referrals, and recommendations. Over time, these experiences strengthen the skills and profile needed for aerospace careers and long-term goals such as becoming an astronaut.
Thank you comment icon Thank you very much! I will check out these platforms and try to build my credibility consistently. Shiloh
Thank you comment icon It’s my pleasure! Teklemuz Tesfay
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Anuj’s Answer

Hi Shiloh! Aiming for aerospace in 7th grade is absolutely stellar.
In this industry, **networking is just as important as rocket science.** Aerospace is a tightly knit community built on trust. Because missions are high-risk,
experts prefer to work with people they know, trust, and recognize as truly passionate.
Many internships, research slots, and scholarships are never posted publicly;
they are filled because a mentor said, *"I know the perfect student for this."*

As a 7th grader, networking isn't about business suits—it's just sharing your curiosity.
You can start building your network today by:

* **Asking for Informational Interviews:** Emailing an engineer with 2-3 smart questions.
* **Joining STEM Teams:** Participating in robotics or rocketry clubs to meet judges.

The connections you make now will become the launching pad for your future career.
Keep looking up, you've got this!
Thank you comment icon Thank you! This is a perfect explanation for me. Shiloh
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Yoav’s Answer

It's incredible that you're already building a portfolio in the seventh grade, Shiloh, and aiming for the stars to become an astronaut shows an amazing amount of ambition and drive. To answer your question directly, networking isn't just impactful in aerospace, it's often the exact thing that opens doors you didn't even know existed. In a highly specialized field like space exploration, professional relationships matter immensely because scientists and engineers want to work with people they know, trust, and who share their absolute passion. So many astronauts, researchers, and engineers got their big breaks, whether it was a rare internship at a space agency, a spot on a cutting-edge research project, or a highly competitive scholarship, simply because a mentor or connection vouched for their work ethic and enthusiasm. When people in the field get to know your dedication early on, they'll actively look out for opportunities for you and help guide your portfolio to stand out from the crowd. You're already taking such smart steps by asking these deep questions, and that curiosity is exactly what's going to carry you all the way to orbit. Keep pushing boundaries, believe in your vision, and I wish you the absolute best of luck on your journey to space!
Thank you comment icon Thank you for sharing your perspective, I appreciate the encouragement! Shiloh
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Valerie’s Answer

Having a healthy network has benefited me in my career. It is not just about collecting connections; it is a genuine resource that helps me on a daily basis. Because I have built solid relationships both inside and outside my field, I have actually been able to skip traditional job applications a few times. I've had people reach out to me directly with job offers, both for positions within my current company and at entirely new places. Plus, my network acts as my go-to circle of advisors and mentors. Whenever I run into a tough problem or need a quick sanity check on something outside my comfort zone, I know exactly who to text or call for guidance. A good network can also help the people you care about. When my daughter graduated from college, I was able to reach out to my connections to help her get her foot in the door and find job opportunities.

Platforms like LinkedIn are absolute goldmines for building this kind of network. I always tell people that while Facebook is great for staying in touch with the friends and family you already know, LinkedIn is designed for finding the professional contacts you don't know yet. It gives you a casual way to reach out to people who work at your dream companies, join groups focused on your industry, and learn from experts you wouldn't otherwise meet. Using a platform like that breaks down the walls and lets you grow your circle way past your immediate workplace.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for this advice, I will consider using LinkedIn after this! Shiloh
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Rebecca Louise’s Answer

Hi Shiloh! Wow, it's so impressive how organised and proactive you are in achieving your dream career this early on! In my opinion networking is an extremely valuable tool that cannot be underestimated. Outside of the traditional career paths within your class or your future job or university cohort, networking outside of these areas is extremely valuable as well. You never know who might be able to help you or who might know someone who might be able to help you. Putting yourself out there and being open with people about your goals and what you are currently doing to get yourself there is a great way to make connections who are more likely to lend you a helping hand - even if not immediately but months or years down the line. Nurturing your relationships with people even if they are not imminently providing you with any direct help is also extremely powerful because you never know where you might find yourself in a couple of years and something as simple as a LinkedIn post about your search for a particular opportunity might get seen by someone who you spoke to months or years earlier and that person is more willing to give you a helping hand or a referral or make a connection with someone who might be able to help you if they remember your name and your face. I always like to approach conversations with people with the goal of uncovering a common ground. The person you might meet at the bus stop or sitting next to you at a coffee shop might share a hobby or an interest or work in the similar field that you were aiming to work in and you will only uncover this through conversation where you are trying to get to know them. I always like to think that everyone I speak to has something I can learn from them. What I'd like to do is if I meet someone at a networking event, at work, university or even just in my day-to-day is send them a follow-up connection a note on LinkedIn thanking them for the opportunity to chat and asking to stay in touch. I wish you the best of luck in your exciting journey!
Thank you comment icon Thank you, I am truly grateful for this answer! I will try to learn something new in strangers I meet, that sounds like a great advice. Shiloh
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Joe’s Answer

Hi Shiloh - First off, you're in 7th grade and you're thinking about your career already - That is amazing! Good for you. Whatever you end up doing, the people meet and work with along the way are going to be your greatest asset (besides yourself of course). After my first two IT jobs which I got the old fashioned way by responding to job ads, literally every job that I got after that was through my network - either through a referral or or some kind of help from someone that I worked with or met along the way.
Though I've been in the software space, primarily in consulting, I've worked across several verticals so I haven't always worked with the same groups of people but it is amazing how often you run into people again and again. Often times you may come across people at a company that you worked with years ago that can somehow help you now. For example, I was working with a company that sold Cybersecurity solutions, we were working with a customer that was particularly challenging, a pharma company, I searched through Linkedin looking for contacts and I came across someone who had worked for me almost 20 years ago at a different company who was now a VP in a different division of this company. Though he had no direct influence with the organization I was working with, he knew some people there and was able to offer some insight on how to navigate the organization and was able to make some calls on my behalf. That ended up being the difference maker that got the project back on track. So, you never know who you are going to run into.
Don't burn bridges. Treat everyone you meet with respect. Learn something personal about people like their favorite sports team, what kind of music they like or where they grew up.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this helps me understand the real impact better! Shiloh
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Vianne’s Answer

Networking is more important than many realize, but not in the way they might think. It's not just about having a lot of contacts; it's about creating real relationships with people who can offer advice, share opportunities, or help you learn about a field. Many jobs and internships are never posted online, so knowing people who understand your interests can lead to opportunities you wouldn't find alone.

Networking doesn't have to involve awkward introductions at events. Some of the best connections are made through chats with professors, coworkers, supervisors, mentors, classmates, or even people you meet while volunteering.
Thank you comment icon Thank you! This gave me a clearer vision of networking. Shiloh
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Wong’s Answer

Networking can have a very positive impact on your career, especially in competitive fields like aerospace. While your skills and hard work are the most important factors, professional relationships can help you discover opportunities that you might not find on your own.

First, networking allows you to learn from people who have experience in the field. Mentors can give you advice about choosing the right courses, building your skills, and preparing for scholarships or future careers.

Second, many internships, research projects, and volunteer opportunities are shared through personal and professional connections. Knowing the right people can help you hear about these opportunities earlier.

Networking also helps you build a good reputation. When people know you as someone who is curious, hardworking, and respectful, they are more likely to recommend you for future opportunities.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is a great explanation! Shiloh
Thank you comment icon You're very welcome Wong Loke Yuen
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Kumar’s Answer

Hi Shiloh,

Networking is very important in any field, not just aerospace. While good grades and a strong portfolio are your base, building connections can really help you. It lets you meet people who are actually working and making a difference. You learn how things work in real life beyond textbooks. Networking also helps you understand the job market and what skills you need to keep up.

Hope this helps. Maybe one day we'll see you on TV waving from the moon or another planet!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for the answer and ecouragement! Shiloh
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

David’s Answer

Networking in my experience has always been better done informally. The most successful networks I've had have come from instances where I either had more friend/school/activity-based connections with people who randomly turned out to be pivotal to finding me roles later, or I went out and actively shared my knowledge in some forum without expecting anything in return. I have been to many networking events, and in my experience, the people who are very clearly there only for the networking do not have a great time. Rather, I would focus on just being curious about the people around you and investing in real friendships and developing a lot of acquaintances. Just by virtue of being a person interested in certain things, you'll naturally find yourself surrounded by people who, even if they're not directly on the path you want to follow, might know someone who is
Thank you comment icon Thank you, I will keep that in mind! Shiloh
0