Your network is your net worth.

Eighty-five percent of jobs are filled through networking.

What is networking?

As a hospitality and tourism student, building relationships in the business is essential in your profession and personal life. One of the most critical methods to preserve these ties is through networking, which I would define as a type of relationship-building that grows gradually as you engage in each other over time. "Business Networking is the process of developing and activating your relationships to increase your business, enhance your knowledge, and expand your sphere of influence," says Dr.Ivan Misner, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of the business networking organization BNI.

My journey of networking

During my internship, I attended an annual staff party that included various team-building games and festivities. It was pretty scary for me as a new intern to mingle with everyone, but I pushed myself to go forward and meet new people. It was odd at first to talk, but the conversation flowed towards the middle after I started. Nonetheless, I primarily spoke with individuals in my department and did not go out of my way to talk with other employees since I was too shy. I couldn't reach anyone after the event since I didn't ask for their contact information or business card!

Overcoming my challenges

The major obstacle I had while networking was my lack of flow in the discussion and ability to begin a conversation. To overcome this barrier, I investigated several networking tactics, and below are some of the things I found beneficial.

Be prepared:

According to one recommendation I heard, having an elevator pitch prepared would help me introduce myself. Deborah Feldman, an executive talent agency, believes that "your delivery must be attention-grabbing to overcome interruptions and compensate for lack of privacy."

Her advice for formulating an elevator pitch include:

• Describe yourself

• Use words that help you stand out

• Use words that will make people interested in hearing more about you.

Here's an example of a pitch I created: "Hello, my name is Ammna, and I am a student at Liverpool John Moores University focusing on a degree in Hospitality and Tourism management. However, my main interest is digital marketing since I am a creative person who enjoys inventing new ideas and concepts wherever I go."

Time your entry:

You might be considered rude if you suddenly interrupt a conversation, and to maintain the flow of dialogue, it is best to smile, listen, and then pose a question as a conversation breaker; I tend to interrupt people out of nervousness and do not understand when to join in the conversation.

Networking Outside comfort zone:

According to an article written by Richard Cosgrove, a networking tip is to set goals for the number of people you aim to meet. For example, I will target how many new people I would talk to in the event depending on my comfort level and how anxious I am; researching the people I aim to meet will help me better approach that person.

Follow up:

Furthermore, I failed to realize the importance of following up as "Sharing Information, whether it's a website, article, report, or phone number with new contacts builds your credibility" as stated by North-eastern University Sarika's. Following up is crucial with new contacts as it is a bridge to building a future with the individual; I will do this via a follow-up email thanking them and keeping it short and straightforward.

Importance of networking and keeping connections

According to a new 2020 LinkedIn global survey results, almost 80 percent of professionals consider professional networking essential to career success; networking improves your skill sets and meets potential employers, clients, mentors, and partners that can aid you in succeeding within your industry. Some places I have found I could network in Dubai are:

• Trade shows at the world trade center (GITEX, Gulf food festival).

• Social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Meetup, Instagram)

• Conferences and Seminars at Area 2071 in Emirates towers.

• Dubai Start-up hub

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLJXgMaPpNU

How do I aim to improve my networking skills?

To summarize, having researched and evaluated the required networking abilities. I plan to reduce my social anxiety by breathing exercises and meditation before attending a networking event. In the future, I hope to attend more networking events, particularly The Arabian Travel Market, where key hospitality professionals will be present, which will allow me to meet new people and build connections. Finally, I will ensure that I follow up by emailing or sending a message through LinkedIn. I'll also keep the message focused on what we discussed before the event so the individual knows who I am.

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REFERENCES:

• Augustine, A., 2021. Here’s Why Networking Is Important to Your Success. [online] TopResume. Available at: <https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/importance-of-networking-for-career-success#:~:text=Networking%20will%20help%20you%20develop,will%20foster%20your%20career%20development.> [Accessed 10 March 2022].

• Levinson, M., 2021. How to network: 17 tips for shy people. [online] CIO. Available at: <https://www.cio.com/article/3219704/how-to-network-17-tips-for-shy-people.html#slide4> [Accessed 16 March 2022].

• Medium. 2021. Networking for introverts, the 1].shy and the socially anxious. [online] Available at: <https://medium.com/@richard.cosgrove/networking-for-introverts-the-shy-and-the-socially-anxious-ee327f5b0eb9> [Accessed 16 March 2022].

• News.linkedin.com. 2021. Eighty percent of professionals consider networking important to career success. [online] Available at: <https://news.linkedin.com/2017/6/eighty-percent-of-professionals-consider-networking-important-to-career-success> [Accessed 17 March 2022].

• Sme10x.com. 2021. Best places for entrepreneurs to network in Dubai. [online] Available at: <https://www.sme10x.com/10x-industry/best-places-for-entrepreneurs-to-network-in-dubai> [Accessed 20 March 2022].