Networking and Midterms

Blotchy skin, drooping eyes, sloppy hair, and an outfit to match - can anyone guess what time of the quarter it is? Midterms! I’m not sure about you, but for me, during midterms and finals I genuinely despise the sound of the Bell Tower. Although beautiful and glorious, when the Bell Tower chimed this morning I felt a sense of anxiety and overwhelming fear. That’s right: today, round one of midterms officially began for me.

Bell Tower, Y U CHIME SO LOUD?

Call me queen of procrastination. I stayed up until four AM studying for my upper division history course. As I prepared myself for essays, short answers, identification terms, and quotes, I started to ponder whether or not my writing was up to par. What if my language was not proper enough? Academic enough? Good enough?

Source Personal feelings at four am.

In the midst of my studying, I realized I had met all kinds of people who were editors, writers, or teacher’s assistants throughout the course of my time here at UCR. During a networking event through the Lebanese Collegiate Network, I was taught how to properly use Twitter, Facebook,and LinkedIn as networking tools. As I looked for journalists, editors, and writers to help me draft a letter to the Chancellor, I stumbled upon Transcribe Inc., an editing and writing company.

After familiarizing myself with the President, I decided to reach out and give them a shot. I sent in my very rough draft via a four AM email of desperation. Within the hour I was given the tips I needed to turn it my draft into a polished-to-perfection piece of writing. Magic? Absolutely.

After elegantly murdering my midterm this morning, I realized that networking is one of the most powerful tools in life. Through meeting people and properly connecting with them, you begin to build your own network of important contacts. I’ve learned that friends can become business partners, bosses can become your best friend, and the internet can be your life saver - well, the people on it.

Networking can be fun! Food and new friends? I’m in.

Get ready to make moves, Highlanders. That stranger at a job fair can become your biggest source of inspiration. Start meeting people and networking as much as you can. You never know who will help you along the way.

Happy socializing, UCR!

-Tina