Day 85: Networking Night Nonsense

Tonight was the much-anticipated Networking Night hosted by the Business Administration faculty. Professors and alumni had been hyping it up as the golden opportunity to make connections, learn from industry leaders, and potentially land internships. For me, it was a chance to awkwardly stand in a corner while trying not to spill my drink on anyone important.

The night began with a flood of emails from the event organizers, reminding us to dress “smart casual” and bring our resumes. I spent thirty minutes staring at my wardrobe, which was mostly T-shirts and jeans, before settling on a wrinkled button-up shirt and the one pair of khakis I own.

Faisal, who treats every event like a red-carpet premiere, showed up in a blazer that looked a size too small. “You’ve got to dress for the job you want,” he declared.

“Yeah,” I said, eyeing the tight sleeves, “but maybe not one as a circus performer.”

Amanda arrived looking effortlessly polished in a simple black dress, carrying a folder of neatly printed resumes. She took one look at me and sighed. “Eddie, did you even iron that shirt?”

“No time,” I mumbled, trying to flatten the creases with my hands.

We arrived at the event to find the venue buzzing with activity. Rows of booths lined the hall, each manned by representatives from various companies. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing—handing out business cards, shaking hands, and launching into confident introductions. Meanwhile, I hovered near the refreshments table, trying to work up the courage to approach someone.

Faisal was in his element. Within minutes, he was deep in conversation with a recruiter, laughing loudly and gesturing like he was closing a million-dollar deal. “Networking is all about personality,” he’d said earlier. Judging by the recruiter’s amused expression, his personality was doing most of the talking.

Amanda, on the other hand, was a picture of professionalism. She moved gracefully from booth to booth, shaking hands and asking insightful questions. At one point, she caught me lurking near the drinks and dragged me to the nearest booth. “You can’t just stand around all night,” she whispered.

The booth she’d chosen was for a tech company specializing in digital marketing. I mumbled an introduction, feeling like a deer in headlights, but the recruiter was surprisingly friendly. He asked about my interests and career goals, and I managed to string together a coherent answer.

Just when I thought I was getting the hang of it, disaster struck. I reached for the drink on the table to steady my nerves, forgetting it wasn’t mine. The recruiter gave me a puzzled look as I accidentally sipped his soda.

Amanda stifled a laugh. “Smooth, Eddie,” she whispered, pulling me away before I could make things worse.

The highlight of the evening was the Q&A panel with industry leaders. The panelists shared stories about their career journeys, sprinkled with advice about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of networking. Faisal, of course, couldn’t resist asking a question. “What’s the best way to leave a lasting impression at events like this?” he asked, leaning casually against the microphone stand.

One panelist chuckled. “For starters, don’t steal someone’s drink,” he said, looking directly at me. The audience burst into laughter, and I felt my face go crimson. Faisal, ever the opportunist, patted me on the back. “Don’t worry, Eddie. At least they’ll remember you.”

By the end of the night, I’d handed out a few resumes and managed not to embarrass myself further. Amanda seemed pleased with my progress, saying, “See? It wasn’t so bad. You just need more practice.”

Lesson of the day: Networking is a skill that takes time to master, and it’s okay to mess up—just make sure you’re not sipping someone else’s drink in the process. Also, always listen to Amanda. She’s never wrong.