This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 1052562907307637v1 32/5/629    most recent References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by de Janasz, S. C. Articles by Forret, M. L. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Learning The Art of Networking: A Critical Skill for Enhancing Social Capital and Career Success

University of Mary Washington

Monica L. Forret

St. Ambrose University

In this era of boundaryless careers, with individuals making frequent career moves and needing to get up-to-speed quickly, networking is seen as a critical competency. Developing and maintaining relationships with others for the purpose of mutual benefit can help individuals search for and secure employment opportunities, gain access to needed information or resources— especially on short notice—and obtain guidance, sponsorship, and social support. Such networking skills are crucial for enhancing social capital and career success; however, many individuals feel uncomfortable with, or unskilled in, networking. Given the importance of networking for business students, we discuss the benefits and challenges of networking and then share a set of exercises and experiences that have been effective in increasing students' networking abilities.

Key Words: networking • social networks • social capital • career • business students

This version was published on October 1, 2008

Journal of Management Education, Vol. 32, No. 5, 629-650 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1052562907307637


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?