Blog 4: Networking + NCUIRE

 Hello!

I learned lots of things about networking this semester, especially about the benefits. It is crazy to me that most jobs do not even post their openings, and instead leave positions open for referrals. I have also heard a few times about people who were not picked for a position because the other candidate was a referral.

I had research that I was presenting at the NCUIRE research symposium, and it was a good experience. However, I feel like I didn't get much networking done despite being a presenter. The attendees were primarily students, teachers, or the judges.

I think what I least like about networking is trying to be confident and hoping that I know what I am talking about. The gentleman I have been speaking to on LinkedIn is an expert in his field, and that is a bit intimidating to me. How do I know what I am talking about when this person knows already knows everything I know, plus more? To be blunt, how do I not make an ass of myself, and have an intelligent conversation about cybersecurity? I prefer to not fake it until I make it. If I'm not knowledgeable on something, I just admit it. It's okay to not know everything! Also, show a willingness to learn! I have no work experience in my field outside of school, so there's just literally no way I know everything.

My favorite thing though is learning things from him, and finding common ground. And still--mostly-- realizing I know what he is talking about, because that means I have knowledge on the subject.

My advice to future TRAIN students is just introduce yourself, be confident, flex the knowledge you do have, but don't pretend you know everything. Be confident in what you know, but if you don't know the small details about a subject that the person you're networking with is talking about, that's ok. Show a willingness to learn, and don't try to BS your way through. :)

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