Lauren Fahey

How did you start building your network?

I started building my professional network during my undergrad studies. I began by joining several clubs as well as getting a job on campus in order to broaden my horizons in terms of my network. I joined the Rugby Football Club to stay active and build new relationships. I also became a tour guide for the university I was attending and joined a not for profit club called Dance Marathon which helps raise money for Boston Children's Hospital throughout the year. My experience was very positive and eye opening. I met folks from not only different states in the U.S., but also different countries. What I loved the most about being involved with several different clubs is that I met students who were studying a variety of different majors such as nursing, engineering, art, business, psychology, etc. While it's important to network with people in your field of study or interest, it is also just as important to network with people in completely different fields of study. This allows you to grow and understand how these different fields align and how your paths may cross one day. After college, I began my career at a large company, Verizon. It can be tough starting as the new person and for some folks you will be the youngest person in the room. I didn't let being young or new get in my way of getting to know others in my office and organization. I took it upon myself to reach out to several different people who's jobs were of interest to me. These people were more than happy to sit with me and talk about their career path and how they got to where they were. If I could give one piece of advice it would be that networking isn't just about the number of people you have on your LinkedIn profile. It networking, it is important to not only build relationships with people who can help you progress in your life and career, but it is important to also maintain these relationships. A true story of how networking helped progress my career: I have been working in my career for about 6 years now. I have been promoted three times and have moved to three different states, all with the same company. I attribute my success to hard work, but networking certainly played a large role. When I was about two years into my career there was a director level employee who's office was right next to my desk at work. At first I did not know this person and would smile and say hello and good morning each day. As time went on our paths crossed in some meetings and we began to build a professional relationship. I asked this person to go have coffee one day and if he would willing to give me some career advice and tell me more about his career story. A few months went by and I told this person I was interested in moving to Colorado. A job happened to open up about a month later in Colorado and guess what happened next? The person I networked with and built a professional relationship with vouched for me and recommended me for the job. I interviewed, got the job and moved to Colorado that year! Every couple of months I will reach out and see how this person is doing and we catch up on IM or email. Networking is such a powerful tool and be of great use to you in any career you choose. Be positive, be open to learning, and don't be afraid to expand your horizons.