Networking is one of the most valuable skills students and professionals can develop. Building relationships with peers, instructors, and industry professionals can open doors to new opportunities, provide guidance, and help you navigate your career path. For students, networking is not just about finding a job—it’s about learning from others, exchanging ideas, and creating meaningful connections that can support personal and professional growth over time.

The Role of Networking in Career Success

1. Generation of referrals

This is the most obvious benefit and the reason most business owners decide to participate in networking activities, events and join networking groups. A referral from a person can open a wide variety of opportunities for you. In my case, for instance, when I applied to the job position in Steve Nash Fitness World I got interviewed by a person who a week later was giving a great referral to who now-a-days is my boss.

2. International job opportunities

Your chances of having international work experience may increase in a larger percentage if you build your network correctly. A great advice I received in Toronto was that every person that comes to our life may be important in the future. If the opportunity to go work abroad in, for instance, Europe is presented and I have previously made valuable connections, this person can be really helpful in the process of settlement and understanding of the market in a different continent.

3. Develop cultural sensitivity

This is a very important advantage only those who have built an international network will have. Being culturally sensitive may increase your chances and opportunities to work globally. By knowing how to do business with Americans, Asians, Europeans, and understanding their culture well, you will stand out from the crowd. You are now one step above the other candidates for that position just by knowing how to create business with different people from all over the world.

4. Improve your interpersonal skills

Considering the fact that I have never been really shy to communicate with others this was never a skill I thought I needed working on. But everyone can benefit from  meeting new people, talking to professionals and exchanging information. Even if that person does not work in the same field as yours, you will still learn other valuable things such as business etiquette and international business trend and development from them. They might even become a great connection for a prospective job or a client in the future.

5. Valuable friendships

Last but not least, life is not only about working, where is the fun of that? Building a great network is crucial for a successful business but the best part of networking will always be making new friends from all over the world. Some of the people you meet while living abroad can share same interests with you and become really close friends. I can tell from my experience that apart from being a great advantage when doing business, it can also come with many benefits.

Networking is a powerful tool for personal and professional development. By attending events, engaging with peers, and connecting with mentors, students can gain insights, build confidence, and uncover opportunities that might not be visible otherwise. For students at Greystone College, leveraging networking opportunities both on and off campus can enhance learning, strengthen career prospects, and create lasting professional relationships that extend beyond the classroom.