Me to Me: Use Resources and Network!

As a first generation student, I wish I had all the help I could get when I started college. With that being said, if I could go back in time and give myself advice, it would be to take advantage of every resource on campus. When I first started, I was unsure where to go to find scholarships or financial aid. Not only that but I did not know who to ask. I spoke to students in class but only kept it at that. I did not think to ask more about their life and the idea of networking did not cross my mind. On that note, I would also tell myself to keep a close network of colleagues for future references. Today, I have maintained a good network and have been exposed to so many opportunities. As simple as it may seem, I have had free meals because a colleague of mine informs me about such events. Networking goes beyond this though as I found an internship out-of-state due to another colleague. One day, I noticed she was typing away and asked what she was working on. She mentioned she was applying to an internship in Boston, so I took that opportunity to do the same and expand upon other states. To say the least, if it was not for her, I would not have known about such benefits. If I had known about the importance of using resources and networking earlier in college, I may have started achieving accomplishments sooner rather than later.

Figure 1. A clipart depicting how networking works. One person knows another, who knows another, and so on ("Linked Connected Network...", n.d.).

Citation:

“Linked Connected Network Free Picture - Connected Circles Transparent Background {#355967 - Free Cliparts on ClipartWiki.” ClipartWiki.com, https://www.clipartwiki.com/iclip/hRxRoR_linked-connected-network-free-picture-connected-circles-transparent/.