Demystifying Networking and What it Means to Build Connections

Master of Engineering Management student Fizza Jaffer discovered the importance of relationship building at the 2019 Grace Hopper Celebration.

Current MEM student Fizza Jaffer reflects on her experience at the 2019 Grace Hopper Celebration.Current MEM student Fizza Jaffer reflects on her experience at the 2019 Grace Hopper Celebration.

By Fizza Jaffer

A lot of people view networking as a transactional relationship for personal gains. For me, it has been more about seeking mentorship and taking a leaf from people’s experiences. I have never approached it with the goal of finding a job. 

I thoroughly enjoy peer-to-peer learning and approach people who inspire me with the aim of understanding what they do differently that sets them apart. It is very important to approach networking with a genuine interest in the “person” you are connecting with, rather than the “organization” they represent. I believe the latter to be disrespectful and easily recognizable, which can be detrimental to one’s professional credibility. Building relationships with resonating synergies is what truly adds value to you and to your network.

I recently had the opportunity to expand my network at the 2019 Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) in Orlando, where more than 20,000 people gathered for the world's largest convention for women in technology. 

I had read about GHC as a young sophomore in India, and I yearned to be a part of it one day ever since. GHC is beyond a mere conference. It is a five-day tech carnival that celebrates women while also identifying the extra steps most women take in order to carve a niche in the industry. Many women still fight cultural barriers and sexism to assert their value and accomplish their dreams even today. GHC is a platform that encourages aspiring female technologists and gathers accomplished professionals to share their experiences, ranging from striking a good work-life balance to discussing strategies about re-entering the workforce after a career break. 

I was intrigued by the journies of the women around me and wanted to understand the hurdles they overcame which molded them into becoming leaders and pioneers in their industries. I sought avenues to learn more about getting involved with the GHC community to further my quest to give back, in a bid to find means to encourage young females to take up careers in STEM, especially in countries like India. 

My friends who had been to GHC before had told me it would be an experience I’d cherish all my life, and boy was it! I entered the convention center and saw it brewing with women from across cultures and age groups. Some of them were new moms who brought their infants and toddlers, and it was interesting to see them handle motherhood and professional commitments effortlessly during the conference! I made good friends with my roommates and together we strategized how we would make the best use of our time at GHC. I also connected with several professionals ranging from non-profit, to computing to consulting to EdTech and academia during and after the conference. 

Reconnecting with the MEMPC team who I worked with to launch a new MEM competition earlier this year at the MEMPC mixer at GHC was another delightful experience. I had enriching conversations with a number of other MEM alums who were also invited to the mixer. A prominent industry leader once told me, “it is equally important for women to nurture one another as it is, for men, to nurture them!” and the ladies I met GHC were all about walking that talk of uplifting each other.

GHC caters to both students and professionals. For job seekers, GHC is a mecca for opportunities if one is able to pitch themselves well and make good use of the career expo. For experienced professionals, it opens avenues to further one’s professional skills through hands-on workshops and talk shows on the current industry best practices. These opportunities not only enhance one’s network but also instill a sense of belongingness to a community that fosters the feeling of mutual growth. 

That being said, it is often assumed that women-centric forums like GHC give women an easy pass to opportunities. That’s not true. This very mindset is the reason why alternate means for underrepresented communities exist. It’s imperative for us to identify, acknowledge and empathize with the struggles of different communities and strive towards equal opportunities and equal representation together. It’s the talent that makes the cut. GHC is one of the channels which facilitates this talent match-making, but it does not guarantee a job on the basis of one’s gender. 

GHC 2019 exposed me to hundreds of self-motivated and confident self-starters from across the world. While it enriched me professionally and contributed significantly to expanding my network, it also helped me forge some life long friendships. As I reflect on those five days in Orlando, I feel incredibly grateful to MEM Program Director Mark Werwath and former Associate Director Stephen Tilley for considering me to represent Northwestern’s MEM at a global platform by sponsoring my trip and helping me fulfill my long-awaited wish of being a part of Grace Hopper Celebrations. 

Fizza Jaffer is a current student in Northwestern's Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program. 

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