7:30 pm – I left WayUp HQ on a mission: to network. I was off to a networking event in NYC.
8:07 pm – The inevitable happens: I see the event through the window, don’t want to go, walk halfway down the block, call my mom, turn around and go inside.
8:12 pm – First stop: the bathroom. I look in the mirror and tell myself I’m awesome. Now I’m ready to face the throng of strangers.
8:15 pm – In the crowd of people, I know I have to talk to someone, but how? I see a woman standing alone. We lock eyes. I step closer. We both know what’s coming next: “Hi, I’m Sophie.”
8:17 pm – Once I know her name (Kate), I ask, “What do you do?” I know it’s cliche, but I have to start somewhere.
8:27 pm – During a lull in the conversation, a man standing nearby inches closer and says, “Hi, I’m sorry but I’m going to crash this conversation if that’s ok.” Bold move. I was so happy he joined because Kate and I were running out of things to talk about.
8:35 pm – As the conversation comes to a natural stopping point I say, “Well, it was great to meet both of you.” I give the handshake I’ve practiced on every member of my family: firm, eye contact, a slight smile and just the right amount of hand sweatiness.
8:45 pm – In another conversation (that I initiated in the same way as the last) the woman blurts out, “I normally have a filter, but I can’t help commenting that you look 12. You must have used a lot of a sunscreen as a kid.” I don’t think it’s crossed her mind that I am indeed closer to age 12 than to her age, 27.
8:50 pm – After a pause in the conversation, I announce that I’m going to head home. The woman hurriedly asks for my contact info, which feels forced. Regardless, I’m feeling pretty good. I successfully made it through my first networking event.
9:15 pm – I take the subway triumphant. I realize that networking events aren’t so scary and that I’m capable of holding my own. Actually, networking events are kind of fun.
What I learned on my mission:
This article was written by Sophie Houser, a rising freshman hired on WayUp!
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