Strength in Networking

By Vanessa Pesa

Network, make connections, establish relationships now, build them up, nurture them, and they will help you in your future endeavors. As interns this has been an underlying theme in each task we are assigned, each project in which we partake.

Janice stresses before each interview that the other interns and I go out in the world to conduct that we end each conversation by asking the person we are writing about if we can hold onto his or her contact information in order to maintain an open line of communication. Dr. Michael Filas, our internship advisor, has likewise stated on multiple occasions the importance of caring for these relationships, so, if years down the road, we want or need to reach out, it won’t be uncomfortable or unnatural. He says we should work to stay connected through social media or quick emails to check in periodically.

He also mentioned that you never know how valuable someone may be in two months or 10 years or how willing they may be to help.

I have been thinking a great deal about the future, as graduation is fast approaching, and my head is already spinning as I realize how close May truly is. I am originally from the south of Boston, so I have been looking to possibly move back after school to pursue an editing career within a publishing company in the city. As I have begun researching jobs, I realize the next step would of course be to find a place to live. Though I am from the area, I am not entirely familiar with the heart of Boston and which areas are best to live in.

A friend of mine, Deanna, lives in Brighton and has lived there for quite some time. I worked with Deanna at a bank approximately six years ago, and we have kept in touch through Facebook, but I haven’t seen Deanna since we worked together.

I recently sent Deanna a Facebook message, asking her where she thought the most affordable and safest areas were in the city. I wasn’t expecting much; I figured she would shoot me back a few suggestions, a tip or two, nothing crazy.

What I got back blew my mind.

Deanna had typed up a two-page Word document, listing at least 20 cities and burgs surrounding Boston, the proximity to the center of the city, what trains were accessible to each, whether or not I could have a car, the demographic, the average price range for a one-bedroom, and the list continues. She put so much time and energy into this list I was awestruck in reading it.

And above all else, it was touching and heartwarming that this girl that I haven’t seen in years would take time out of her busy life to create such a thoughtful document, that I mattered enough to her to do so.

Janice and Dr. Filas are right; take care of your relationships, and never be afraid to ask for help.