Introduction

“What is networking in 2024 ?”

It is universally agreed that networking is beneficial to getting employed, career growth, business expansion, and positive life changes! A survey reported by Techopedia reported that more than 54% of new hires in 2022 came from referrals. A cursory look at employment data from preceding and successive years from 2020 will further buttress the fact that has become a pivotal factor in today’s world.

However, what does it really mean to network? Is there unity regarding the meaning of the systems and activities referred to as networking? Are we just clustering career-related activities to mean networking? Or much sincerely, is networking the new buzzword for cause-and-effect events in the corporate universe no one fully has a grasp of?

This is why we are here—you and I. We will be discussing under the following headings;

• What is networking?
• Are there types of networking?
• What are key networking events?

Through these lenses, we should be able to meaningfully discuss networking to one understanding while simultaneously setting you up on the path to career success through networking.

What is networking in 2024 ?

Simply put, networking in 2024 refers to the activities involved in building meaningful connections and relationships important to one’s career trajectory. Exchanging of ideas, information, expanding capabilities, and so on are but key elements of the concept.

Types of networking in 2024

Networking today is segmented or categorized according to approaches, circumstances, and specific goals. One does not just network; it usually must have goal and is surrounded by enabling circumstances. This then determines the approach type.

The following are the major approaches and  types;

1. Lateral/Horizontal Networking: This approach focuses on people who fall under the same or similar circumstances; same career levels as well as share similar interests and goals. Classmates, housemates or entry-role team members connect under this category.

2. Vertical Networking: People who network vertically engage and connect with those who are better experienced and advanced career-wise than you do. Mentor/mentee relationships are typical examples of vertical tis cadre.

3. Strategic Networking: As the word implies, this is carefully thought-out and executed networking aimed at reaping benefits for the subject. Seeking relationships that would have direct positive effects on one’s life falls under this class.

4. Informational Networking: This is solely for the sake of gaining knowledge and of course, information. Associating with thought leaders, authorities, and influential figures falls here.

5. Social Networking: This networking takes advantage of platforms and sites such as Beezlinq, LinkedIn and their likes. This is the most dominant networking these days. Due to the ease and pocket-friendly nature of these  platforms, they have evolved to become the hub of connection for most people.

These approaches are not unilateral; they overlap. One can in fact be involved in all approaches at once by maintaining communication with classmates, linking up with senior colleagues, seeking authoritative information sources as well as being on platforms such as Beezlinq and LinkedIn.

What are Networking Events, Activities and Platforms in 2024?

Networking in 2024 does not happen in thin air or in a vacuum. There are situations, enabling that make this happen. There are also activities all aimed at fostering connections. These would be itemized as follows;

Networking Events

These are organized gatherings aimed at the creation of connections, rekindling of friendships, and establishment of relationships. These are usually formal and in organized spaces.

We will be running down some of these events to help you identify and make full use of one to improve your craft when the opportunity presents itself.

1. Industry-specific events: Meetings, webinars, and conferences all involving people within the same discipline. Often, these events come with thought leaders, experts, and authority figures sharing insights and eye-opening knowledge to participants. Events such as the Mobile World Congress, the American Historical Association annual meeting, and the World Economic Forum annual meeting are examples of Industry-specific events geared at encouraging networking among comrades within an industry.

2. Career fairs: These refer to events involving hiring managers, hiring companies, and job seekers in which the latter is informed of job openings and vacancies that they may fill with the necessary qualifications. Career fairs, such as the Ivy fair are an opportunity to gain employment and attendees are often counseled to attend armed with resumes and with the best possible impression.

3. Webinars and Workshops: Webinars and workshops are organized events headlined by authority figures in particular niches and disciplines to help teach or lecture a gathering on their field of experts. These days, webinars are held online due to emergent technology that enables and facilitates virtual gatherings. Whenever you see any of such events, just recall this is a form of networking in 2024.

4. Conferences: These are formal meetings of people who share the same interests and aspirations where they gather and share their thoughts and opinions with others to exchange knowledge. Some of these conferences such as the International Conference on Advanced Computer Science and Information Technology (ICACSIT) beyond the exchange of knowledge are breeding grounds for building profitable connections.

5. Speed Networking: Folks from the same industries meet and quickly exchange contact information, information, and pleasantries in facilitated exchanges that are usually brief.

6. University and College Events: Yearly, universities and colleges around the world host events where established people across many industries come as keynote speakers and share abundant knowledge. Famous speeches and quotes from people such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and their likes are birthed here. Turns out these events are opportunities to up the ladder.

CONCLUSION

Networking in 2024 is beyond casually building relationships and connections. There is a need to prioritize building high-quality connections while at it. As such, this should be approached tactfully and carefully. Each of the networking types and events discussed in this article, when properly utilized can act as the tipping edge in a competitive world out there.

We have so far explained networking in 2024 to mean the process of building meaningful connections, and outlined its types to include lateral, vertical, strategic, informational and social. We were also able to iterate the fact that networking happens only in settings and went over and out to discuss such events including industry events, career fairs, webinars and workshops, conferences, speed networking events and educational occasions. These would give proper guidance on networking, its meaning, and key components.