Building My Spider Web of Connections by Qiyue

Building My Spider Web of Connections by Qiyue - April 2026 Scholarship Essay

Networking is a skill that can help build an individual's reputation and career. However, it is also a skill that incorporates several other important factors, such as maintaining long-term friendships, direct communication, and proactive engagement and follow-ups. I hope that in several years, I will have mastered networking skills so that I will not only accomplish what I hope to accomplish in the future, but also make several companions and friends. Overall, I see networking as an opportunity to stabilize my career, make friends, and a way for me to grow into a more confident person. I plan to master networking by contacting other associates first and through various methods, attending career functions and social events, and understanding what the other individual may want in exchange for our connection.

Connections and relationships cannot occur without one person initiating them. Business-wise, the chances of someone I admire in the field contacting me first are low. However, I am a timid person when it comes to contacting people. I plan to reduce my shyness in the next couple of years by stepping out of my comfort zone and reaching out to others first. In fact, I have already begun my journey, as I have emailed several professors regarding my research project. One professor agreed to assist me with the research project, and we will be running the experiment this summer. I plan on continuing to email professors; however, I want to be able to initiate contact in other ways as well (phone calls, in-person, and more). In the next couple of years, when I am in college, I plan to ask my professors in person about research or work opportunities, rather than just emailing.

Although networking through professors is a good start, I wish to connect with those around my age. Hence, attending career functions is another way I plan on improving my networking abilities. By attending career functions, I hope to socialize with people my age who are in similar careers. I plan to discuss research opportunities with them, our goals, and hopefully develop strong friendships and exchange contacts. A personal goal of mine is to have at least five work connections by the end of my sophomore year in college.

Of course, not all connections start with a desire to be friends, nor is everyone open to connecting with someone who does not have something in exchange for the connection. However, what is harder to understand is what the other party wants in the relationship. I hope that in a couple of years, I will develop the skill to analyze others and understand what they may want in exchange for a connection. If the person is a researcher with their own website, I plan to understand what they may want by observing the news and updates on the website. If the person is someone I have recently met and I have no time to prepare to understand what they may want, I plan on conversing with them; if they mention something they want and I am able to offer it, I will reach out to them about a potential deal we can have with each other. If my initial attempts at networking are unsuccessful, I will pick myself back up and reflect on what I can do better before continuing my attempts.

Nevertheless, the methods I have listed are ways I think would improve my networking skills. If they do not show progress or fail, I will reflect on my actions and change the reasons why my attempts were unsuccessful. I plan to incorporate these techniques into my lifestyle in the future so that I master the skill of networking. In summary, I plan to master networking by contacting associates through various methods, attending social events and functions, and understanding what I can offer so that I will develop a more stable career, make friends, and become a more confident person.