Finding a Job

In trying to find a job, I was taught how important networking is. Lots of people are hesitant to "network" because for some reason, it has the mistaken impression of just "using" people. The difference is this: "networking" is to the advantage of both people involved. The pair may not benefit from the relationship in the exact same way, but they both get something they want and need out of the interaction--if I babysit for a professor, they get to go out and not worry about their children, and I get personal currency to trade in for an academic favor later. Of course, one should not enter into such a relationship solely for personal benefit (I happen to love babysitting), but eventually, the networking gods will come back and smile on you.

I was startled by the statistic, as a first-semester senior, that only 30% of jobs are advertised. The other 70%, the large majority, were come upon by who you knew and who you asked, not through eRecruiting or a college career center (this is where internships can come in handy). My boyfriend's job was one of the 30%; I kept telling myself that it would pan out for me too, that I would get one of those 30% jobs, I wouldn't have to pull strings or--as I saw it--"cheat" by massaging my network and working my way into a position by the grace of the network-gods.
And yet, here I am, in a job that was practically created for me, given to me by one of my powerful networkers--the dean of the school for which I work.

It started innocently enough--I went to him to talk about where I could look for jobs. I knew his network was much larger than mine, and would probably know of more resources. He had met me 6 years before when I came to the school for a summer program as a junior in high school. I had run in to him a few times while needing permission papers signed for classes and delivering speeches over the years. He was eager to meet with me and share his resources. Eventually, he decided that perhaps my skills would be well-used at the divinity school. And here I am! I never expected him to offer me a job, my motives for meeting were pure, but once you allow yourself to be open to the opportunities around you, things start falling from the sky (maybe not until after you graduate--like me), but eventually, they do. All because of being desperate enough to call upon my network!