NETWORKING SKILLS FOR THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES Essay

NETWORKING SKILLS FOR THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES - Essay Example Through such a discussion and analysis, it is the hope of this particular author that the reader will gain a more informed understanding with respect to the necessity and importance of networking as well as a further understanding and identification of the ways in which a focus upon networking can help to build the prospects in the future of the individual that engages with it. Section 1: Firstly, even though it is true that this skill and knowledge learned in a formalized educational setting is not in and of itself sufficient for each and every situation, it should not be understood that networking is a skill that does not require teaching and is somehow innate within each and every human being. Due to differentials of personal psychology, many individuals are introverts whereas others tend to be more extroverted (Calin & Mcgee, 2006). However, even though a personal psychological approach to networking is necessary, should also be understood that even the most introverted individua l can utilize effective networking within their own life and professional career as a means of maximizing the benefit that they would otherwise achieved in and of themselves (Jain, 2011). In seeking to define what networking is, it should be understood that whereas many terms require a broad and complicated explanation, networking is fairly simple. Ultimately, this process can be understood based upon the realization that networking is a process through which an individual can leverage personal and business connections as a means of gaining valuable information that they can then apply towards increasing profitability, client base, efficiency or other positive business engagements (Sharafizad, 2011). As such, the obvious point that should be understood is with respect to the fact that networking allows for an individual to not only leveraging utilize the information that they have been presented or come in contact with, it also allows for a shared collective of knowledge and informa tion to be passed along from one individual, or group of individuals, to another. Although this is not a difficult concept to grasp, it should be understood that the bulk of the education process, from kindergarten all the way to postgraduate work, is concentric upon the degree and extent to which information can be retained at a personal level (Kokkonen et al., 2013). Although it is true that outside research is oftentimes required, collaborative in group effort is not common and therefore is not necessarily a tactic that the recently graduated business man or woman would otherwise engage in. As such, even though this process is extraordinarily simple and easy to engage in, a great many young professionals, and professionals of any age for that matter, necessarily choose to rely upon their own abilities as this is a thought process and means of engagement that has become solidified as a result of many years of education. From a strategic standpoint, the process of