Networking for a Rainy Day

Time and time again, you've heard us at LCS tout the benefits of networking as a strategy to both advance your job search ("direct networking") and professional development ("investment networking"). Investment networking is a way to think about establishing relationships that you will cultivate and nourish over the course of your career.

Michael R. Gotham, the president of NALP and the Director of Recruiting and Retention at Perkins Coie LLP, recently wrote an excellent article explaining why students should spend more time focusing on "investment networking," especially during a down economy. He argues that "investment networking is a lot like saving for retirement or for the proverbial 'rainy day.' Our professional network is just like a savings account. And, just as we should do with a savings account, we should contribute to our professional network as early in our careers as possible and as much as possible."

I encourage all of you to take a moment to read his article and consider his advice:

• Click here to read On Networking by Michael R. Gotham
  
  (article copyright NALP, reprinted here with permission)