I am currently reading the book, Never Eat Alone, by Keith Ferrazzi, which was recommended to me by Joshua Saunders. I believe this book is a must read for any student looking to establish rewarding and successful relationships for their careers, life, etc. One chapter is about building your network before you need it. Constantly create the environment and life you want for yourself!

In the past, I told myself I will look for a job when I need one – bullshit. I now realize that its not what you know, but who you know. Sure what you know might be sufficient, but to reach the levels and places I want to reach, I have realized the importance of know some people that can help you along the way.

Point is, build your network, your team, mentors now, so when you do need something, like a job, a connection, a lead, you are ready and prepared, instead of scrambling and getting behind. Make and establish relationships with people you think can help you now, and grow that relationship, build trust, and then when the time is right, you will have help to achieve what you want.

Get to know people and potential clients as friends first. People like to do business with their friends, people they can trust and know about, not necessarily strangers. Another tip from the book is to work for these people for free, or volunteer, because eventually you’ll get noticed and these people will know your work, your value, etc. Classic example is internships. Its not a coincidence that interns eventually get hired, or have a much better chance to get the job. The people know them, have seen their work, and they know their value.

Volunteer, join organizations and clubs relative to what you are seeking. Enroll in classes, attend seminars, put yourself in the environment you want for yourself. The Law of Probability states that the more new people you meet, the more opportunities that come up.

Build your network now, before you need it! Dont wait for the life or opportunity to come to you, go out there and make it yourself. It will come a lot more naturally, and when will you will need it, you’ll have it built.

The last few weeks I have been searching for a second part-time job. I’m enrolled for 16 units this spring semester starting next Monday, and I work about 10 hours a week at a gym – where I basically hang out, do homework, read etc…. more like study hall. I could care less about money right now, because I know I’ll make more than enough down the road. Ever since my experiences from Sales (valuable, yet not exactly enjoyable…) I have made a pact with myself……

“If I am going to work for someone else, the experience must be invaluable and I cannot be a slave to the job.”

I am done with spending 20-40 hours a week on a typical minimum wage job, I have already done that and enjoyed it. I’m now going to commit to jobs that will help me gain the experience I need to reach the next level, bring me closer to my goals. If any Highschool kid fresh off his/her 16th birthday, and asks me what kind of job he/she should look for, I would tell him/her to only consider a job for the experience you can gain, and something you can enjoy, not necessary for the money.

So keeping that pact in mind, I have ventured into a new job that has created excitement and challenging and new for myself. Marketing and Public Relations work for a local restaurant. I have no experience whatsoever in marketing, let alone restaurant experience, but I know that my drive and the new exciting experiences and opportunities awaiting will push me to success. Even better, I make more than minimum wage, have a little more freedom than practically all minimum wage jobs, and awesome potential for valuable experience and opportunities.

So I will log and reflect my experiences, good or bad, success or failure, in this blog. Anybody with any marketing or restaurant experience, I would greatly appreciate any insight, advice, suggestions! It should be a another jam-packed semester…. but I wont be busy, Ill be productive.