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College 101: It's Who You Know

By Christopher Rhoads
Black College Wire

Christopher Rhoads

Ask anyone the purpose of college and you are sure to get answers ranging from scholastic advancement to preparation to enter the career market.

The real purpose is networking.

The ties you make in school will more than likely be lifelong.

So not only should you value those you have networked with, you should be more attentive to who they are.

Many students talk to others only for superficial reasons. Maybe it's because this girl is pretty, or maybe this guy has a lot of money. Or better yet, because that person has the books to the class and you don’t.

Good try, but you’re wrong — except for the “books” reason.

Network to improve yourself and your conditions.

For instance, put yourself around focused people, and soon you are sure to see a change in your own attitude and behavior. Being with those who have plans to do something substantial with their lives increases the likelihood that you will end up doing the same.

If you have old friends who don’t seem to have a purpose in life, incorporate them into your new circle.

Chances are, their attitudes will start to shift as well. If they don’t, ditch them. The last thing you need is more dead weight.

Far too many students don’t network with others who have something to offer simply because of the image those others have on campus. There may be a rumor that someone is gay or something along those lines.

But that doesn’t mean that one day that same person won’t be able to provide you an opportunity to better yourself in the job market.

Don’t let others form your impressions for you.

This is probably the biggest opportunity for you to network with someone who down the road could give you the chance to be filthy rich.

If you don’t believe me, look at the current president of our free world.

He’s a great example of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

Christopher Rhoads, a student at North Carolina Central University, is opinions editor of The Campus Echo.

Posted Nov. 21, 2003