14 answers
Shiloh
Student
Indonesia
4
Questions
Updated
1336 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?
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14 answers
James Greene
Customer Success
11
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
James’s Answer
Networking with people is one of those things that, I feel, is best when you aren't trying to think about it being networking. Treat every interaction with someone how you would want to be treated and how, if you saw this person again, how would they feel coming away from your previous interaction? How did you leave them feeling? Every job I have had has come from the previous and it's because you don't burn bridges.
From a professional sense, I'd look to see if there are local groups/meetups/mixers for your interests and just talk with people and see where it goes!
From a professional sense, I'd look to see if there are local groups/meetups/mixers for your interests and just talk with people and see where it goes!
Yoav Traeger
Bid Manager
165
Answers
Kiryat Ono, Tel Aviv District
Updated
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 for sharing your perspective, I appreciate the encouragement!
Shiloh
Anuj Gupta
Software Engineering
305
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
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!
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! This is a perfect explanation for me.
Shiloh
David Slayback
Staff Software ENgineer
3
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
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, I will keep that in mind!
Shiloh
Gayathri Naik
Software Engineering
5
Answers
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Updated
Gayathri’s Answer
Networking is one of the most powerful things you can do if you're aiming for a career in aerospace or becoming an astronaut. Here's why it matters and how it works:
Why it's important in aerospace:
Aerospace is a small, close-knit field. People often move between NASA, university labs, and companies like SpaceX and Boeing. Your reputation and relationships can spread quickly. Becoming an astronaut is very competitive, with NASA receiving over 12,000 applications for a few spots. While you can't directly network your way in, many astronauts have advanced degrees, military service, or specific skills thanks to mentors or colleagues who helped them along the way.
How relationships create unique opportunities:
Internships and jobs often go to students recommended by a mentor or professor. Being known personally can make sure your resume gets noticed. Research opportunities typically go to students professors know and trust, which is important for future grad school or agency applications. Strong letters of recommendation from someone who knows you well can greatly influence scholarship and grad school decisions. Mentors can share valuable insider information about programs and scholarships. Staying connected can lead to future opportunities as people remember you when new positions or scholarships arise.
Steps you can take now:
Join clubs or competitions like FIRST Robotics or your school's STEM programs to meet mentors and peers. Reach out to aerospace engineers, professors, or NASA programs; many enjoy mentoring curious students. Attend science fairs, aerospace camps, or virtual talks to start building connections. Make each connection meaningful by asking good questions, following up with thank-yous, and staying in touch over time.
It's great that you're thinking about this early. Building relationships now can really help with scholarships or future astronaut applications. Good luck with your journey!
Why it's important in aerospace:
Aerospace is a small, close-knit field. People often move between NASA, university labs, and companies like SpaceX and Boeing. Your reputation and relationships can spread quickly. Becoming an astronaut is very competitive, with NASA receiving over 12,000 applications for a few spots. While you can't directly network your way in, many astronauts have advanced degrees, military service, or specific skills thanks to mentors or colleagues who helped them along the way.
How relationships create unique opportunities:
Internships and jobs often go to students recommended by a mentor or professor. Being known personally can make sure your resume gets noticed. Research opportunities typically go to students professors know and trust, which is important for future grad school or agency applications. Strong letters of recommendation from someone who knows you well can greatly influence scholarship and grad school decisions. Mentors can share valuable insider information about programs and scholarships. Staying connected can lead to future opportunities as people remember you when new positions or scholarships arise.
Steps you can take now:
Join clubs or competitions like FIRST Robotics or your school's STEM programs to meet mentors and peers. Reach out to aerospace engineers, professors, or NASA programs; many enjoy mentoring curious students. Attend science fairs, aerospace camps, or virtual talks to start building connections. Make each connection meaningful by asking good questions, following up with thank-yous, and staying in touch over time.
It's great that you're thinking about this early. Building relationships now can really help with scholarships or future astronaut applications. Good luck with your journey!
Joe Rogers
Consulting Sales
2
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
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.
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, this helps me understand the real impact better!
Shiloh
Valerie Buxeron
Project Manager
11
Answers
Little Elm, Texas
Updated
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.
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 for this advice, I will consider using LinkedIn after this!
Shiloh
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
316
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
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.
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! This gave me a clearer vision of networking.
Shiloh
Teklemuz Tesfay
Software Engineer and Career Mentor
719
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
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.
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 very much! I will check out these platforms and try to build my credibility consistently.
Shiloh
It’s my pleasure!
Teklemuz Tesfay
Sarah Cockrell, MBA, MSCM
Organizational Development
62
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Networking is incredibly impactful, but I’d encourage you to think of it as relationship building, not collecting contacts. As technology and AI continue to change how we work, genuine human relationships are becoming even more valuable. People are more likely to mentor, recommend, or collaborate with someone they know, trust, and enjoy working with.
The best relationships are built on give-and-take, not just asking for opportunities. Even as a student, you can contribute by being dependable, showing curiosity, volunteering, following up with a thank-you note, sharing helpful resources, or simply staying in touch.
Beyond career opportunities, having a strong community also supports your well-being, keeps you engaged, and can open doors throughout your career. Sometimes the most valuable connection isn’t the one that gets you your first internship. It’s the one that challenges you, encourages you, or introduces you to someone else years later.
My advice is to start now. Join STEM clubs, attend aerospace events, volunteer, and get to know your teachers, coaches, and mentors. You’re at the perfect age to build genuine friendships and connections with people who want to see you succeed. Be curious, ask questions, and stay involved. Those relationships can encourage you, open doors, and support you as you work toward your dream of becoming an astronaut.
The best relationships are built on give-and-take, not just asking for opportunities. Even as a student, you can contribute by being dependable, showing curiosity, volunteering, following up with a thank-you note, sharing helpful resources, or simply staying in touch.
Beyond career opportunities, having a strong community also supports your well-being, keeps you engaged, and can open doors throughout your career. Sometimes the most valuable connection isn’t the one that gets you your first internship. It’s the one that challenges you, encourages you, or introduces you to someone else years later.
My advice is to start now. Join STEM clubs, attend aerospace events, volunteer, and get to know your teachers, coaches, and mentors. You’re at the perfect age to build genuine friendships and connections with people who want to see you succeed. Be curious, ask questions, and stay involved. Those relationships can encourage you, open doors, and support you as you work toward your dream of becoming an astronaut.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Shiloh
Rebecca Louise Clancy
Technical Presales
6
Answers
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
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, 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
Jezlea Ortega
Tech Architecture
102
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jezlea’s Answer
Networking is one of those things that sounds abstract and uncomfortable until you experience firsthand what a single genuine relationship can unlock, and then you never underestimate it again. In aerospace especially, where the community is smaller and more specialized than most industries, who you know genuinely matters as much as what you know in many situations. The field is built on collaboration and the relationships that make that collaboration possible start forming much earlier than most people realize.
The honest truth about networking is that most of the best opportunities in any field never get formally advertised. Internships get filled through referrals before a posting goes live. Research positions get offered to students a professor already knows and trusts. Scholarship recommendations carry more weight when they come from someone who genuinely knows your work and character rather than someone writing a generic letter. Mentors open doors that you didn't even know existed simply because they think of you when an opportunity crosses their path. All of that happens through relationships, not applications.
In aerospace specifically, the pathway to becoming an astronaut runs almost entirely through a network of institutions, programs, and people. NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, the Air Force, and major research universities are all deeply interconnected communities where reputation and relationships travel fast. The astronaut candidates who get selected are, not just the most technically qualified, they are people who have built track records of collaboration, demonstrated their character through real working relationships, and been vouched for by people already inside those systems.
For where you are right now, the most important thing to understand is that networking at your stage doesn't look like professional schmoozing it looks like genuinely connecting with people who share your passion. It looks like emailing a professor whose research excites you, attending a space camp or STEM event and staying in touch with the people you meet there, joining online communities of young people interested in aerospace, and letting the adults in your life know specifically what you are working toward so they can connect you with people who might help. Every genuine relationship you build from here is a thread in a web that will support you in ways you cannot fully predict yet.
The honest truth about networking is that most of the best opportunities in any field never get formally advertised. Internships get filled through referrals before a posting goes live. Research positions get offered to students a professor already knows and trusts. Scholarship recommendations carry more weight when they come from someone who genuinely knows your work and character rather than someone writing a generic letter. Mentors open doors that you didn't even know existed simply because they think of you when an opportunity crosses their path. All of that happens through relationships, not applications.
In aerospace specifically, the pathway to becoming an astronaut runs almost entirely through a network of institutions, programs, and people. NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, the Air Force, and major research universities are all deeply interconnected communities where reputation and relationships travel fast. The astronaut candidates who get selected are, not just the most technically qualified, they are people who have built track records of collaboration, demonstrated their character through real working relationships, and been vouched for by people already inside those systems.
For where you are right now, the most important thing to understand is that networking at your stage doesn't look like professional schmoozing it looks like genuinely connecting with people who share your passion. It looks like emailing a professor whose research excites you, attending a space camp or STEM event and staying in touch with the people you meet there, joining online communities of young people interested in aerospace, and letting the adults in your life know specifically what you are working toward so they can connect you with people who might help. Every genuine relationship you build from here is a thread in a web that will support you in ways you cannot fully predict yet.
Kumar Rishav
Engineer
48
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
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!
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 so much for the answer and ecouragement!
Shiloh
Wong Loke Yuen
Dean; Head of Programme and Senior Lecturer
837
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
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.
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.