Scholarship / The use of my networking skills on a specific example from my professional development [5]

NETWORKING ESSAY FOR CHEVENING

I want to describe the use of my networking skills on a concrete example of my professional development. During studying at the university I had to go through a summer internship. My current academic specialization didn't fully satisfy me in the outlook of professional development. I was interested in the UI designer profession. The goal was to independently search for a job. However, the problem was that I didn't have enough knowledge, skills and experience in this field.

Firstly, I had to provide the portfolio to potential employers as proof of my abilities. Not having a clear idea of ​​exactly how the process of creating any project occurs, I turned for help to a friend who introduced me to a professional UI designer. Specialist's consultation allowed to obtain the necessary knowledge base for the implementation of my future projects. Also I recieved from him links to communities in the social network "VKontakte", where where designers share experience and help beginners. I asked many questions, and as a result, I created a contacts network that helps me in professional development.

More difficult step was the search for a company for the internship. Wasn't an easy task to convince the representative of the company that, having taught me, they will get a valuable employee who brings profit to their business. On the recommendations of my network, I contacted 30 web-studios of the city. 2/3 of the companies refused me, referring to the lack of resources for training or lack of my necessity. About 10 companies requested my portfolio, as a result I received 3 interview invitations, 2 of which I successfully passed. I chose a company that seemed more promising in a further grough. At the moment I continue to work in this company. Due to my networking skills, I was able to grow from a beginner to a professional in my field, whose opinion has a sizeable weight in the company.

A few words about my specialist development in these 2 years. In view of the fact I need to quickly acquire professional skills and experience, I maintain active contacts with the design community from around the world. The best platform for these purposes is Dribbble. Every year I attend meetings in Russia, where international speakers share their experience, discuss actual problems and ways to solve it. As a result of this connections acquired there, I've recently got the opportunity to publish my own works on the Dribbble platform. This opportunity is extending my connections with top designers and potential customers from all over the world.

As a Chevening scholar, I will be able not only to use the received information and knowledge, but also to share it and help in the development of the Chevening community. I thankful to the people who helped me, because not having an academic education in the field of design, my networking skills allowed me to go to career success. Therefore, I want to share my experience and lead people who need support and motivation.