Networking Skills

Awareness & Understanding

Networking sounds like something only business people do, but it really just means building real relationships with people who share your interests or goals. In Salt Lake City, a strong network can open doors to internships, volunteer opportunities, mentors, and friendships that last for years. Start by thinking about who you already know: teachers, neighbors, coaches, club leaders, or youth group advisors. These people are already part of your network. Watch a free video on professional networking through the Salt Lake City Public Library's LinkedIn Learning access — any library card holder can log in at slcpl.org. Write down the names of five people in your life who might be connectors to new opportunities. You are ready for the next step when you can clearly explain in your own words what networking is and why it is different from just hanging out.

Research & Investigation

Before you can grow your network, it helps to know what kinds of connections exist in the Salt Lake community. Research two or three local organizations that host events or programs for young people: check out Youth Impact, the Salt Lake City Youth Council, or the Utah State Board of Education's student leadership programs. Look at Eventbrite and Meetup for free community events happening near you. Find out if your school has a student government, DECA chapter, or career and technical education program — these are built-in networking opportunities. Make a list of at least three events or groups you could realistically join in the next month. You are ready for the next step when you have identified three specific places or events where you could meet new professional or civic contacts.

Planning & Preparation

Good networking starts with knowing how to introduce yourself clearly and confidently. Write a short personal introduction — sometimes called an elevator pitch — that covers who you are, what you care about, and what you are hoping to learn or do. Keep it to about thirty seconds. Practice it out loud until it feels natural, not memorized. Prepare three genuine questions you could ask someone you just met, like what they enjoy most about their work or what advice they would give their younger self. Set a specific goal: for example, attend one event this week and introduce yourself to two new people. The Salt Lake City Public Library hosts free workshops on communication and career skills — check slcpl.org for the schedule. You are ready for the next step when you can deliver your personal introduction smoothly without reading from notes.

Taking Action

It is time to put your preparation into practice. Attend one community event, club meeting, or professional gathering and introduce yourself to at least two people you have never met before. After each conversation, jot down the person's name, what they do, and one thing you learned from them. Within 24 hours, send a follow-up message — an email or LinkedIn connection request with a short note works well. Thank them for the conversation and mention something specific you discussed. This follow-up is what turns a quick chat into a real connection. Keep a simple contact log so you do not lose track of the people you are meeting. You are ready for the next step when you have had two real conversations with new contacts and followed up with both of them.

Leadership & Expansion

You have built some connections — now grow them into something bigger. Organize or help organize a small gathering where two or three people in your network can meet each other. Being the connector is one of the most valuable networking skills there is. Reach out to a mentor or professional you admire and ask for a fifteen-minute informational interview — be specific about what you want to learn. Share a useful resource, article, or event invitation with someone in your network without asking for anything in return. Volunteer to help plan or promote an event for a local organization like the Salt Lake Chamber's young professionals group or a neighborhood council. You are ready for the next step when you have introduced two of your contacts to each other and completed at least one informational interview.

Impact & Reflection

Take stock of the relationships you have built over these four weeks. Review your contact log and count how many new people you have genuinely connected with. Reflect on which conversations felt most valuable and why. Write a short personal statement about how your network has grown and what opportunities have come from it — even small ones count, like learning about a scholarship or finding a study partner. Share your networking story in a school newsletter, a youth council meeting, or on a professional platform like LinkedIn. Help one younger student or friend start their own networking journey by sharing what you have learned. You are ready for the next step when you can point to at least one real opportunity or connection that grew directly from your networking effort during this quest.