Due to a dynamic business environment, I see networking as a powerful yet most valuable tool

Hey its my first time applying for a scholarship. I am having a bit of trouble with my networking essay. Would be grateful for any assistance. I am not finished but I wanted some advice before its too late.

Q. Chevening is looking for individuals with strong networking skills, who will engage with the Chevening community ...
(minimum word count: 50 words, maximum word count: 500 words)

Due to a dynamic business environment, I see networking as a powerful yet most valuable tool towards a brighter future especially in my country;___ Fostering strong networking relationships both locally and internationally can lead to the achievement of sustainable economic growth, training, trade and most importantly being able to share information and views which will strengthen not only _______ resource base but my individual ability.

My outgoing personality and inquisitive mind has helped me sharpen my networking skills to the fullest. Creating and maintaining meaningful relationships with new people is a part of who I am. Some of my stronger attributes includes the ability to listen attentively, pitch ideas in short spaces of time, technologically savy and social media friendly.

I have engaged myself in various social media groups, sporting activities and non-profit volunteer group activities which enhanced my social life. For example, joining academic groups via Facebook allowed me to interact with hundreds of other Caribbean students assisting each other in successfully preparing for exams and completion of projects. Additionally, I maintained networks with my previous teams from UWI and liaise with them inquiring about what and how they are preparing for competitions to connect them with my current team in ______. Lastly, I continue to use the relationship gained from youth camps to build my church in relation to youth involvement. Also, we support each other with life challenges encountered as young adults. These activities opened the door for me to reach out to other young and talented individuals with similar commonalities.

As a Chevening scholar, I will have the opportunity to learn from people of different cultures. Sharing my dreams and exchanging perspectives on the challenges and successes we face, will open avenues for each of us to benefit. This focus will gain partnership from other regions that is required, to achieve greater availability of jobs which will lead to economic growth and a better resilience. In essence, through networking I am not only enhancing my career but being able to sell my country as a venture point for business.

Upon return, my alumni in psychology can support me with solutions in diverse organisational issues. They can give well developed insights, placing me at a better advantage point in assisting my country and other agencies more effectively in my field of study. I will be able to communicate with the alumni on the research methods and psychological principles they are using to see if we in _______ are using the most efficient ones. With this, the main goal will be to improve the satisfaction of employees whilst lowering work stress. With effective policy implementation it is hopeful that employees will be retained and motivated to stay and live on island; subsequently also increasing employment.

I am therefore fully committed to expand my networking knowledge for later usage to the betterment of my country. Participating in workshop, seminars and Chevening events will be an aim to divulge my knowledge to the community.

Hope, there is a growing misconception that creating a friend network via Facebook is considered a skill that can prove that you have the ability to network. That is not the case. In most instances, professional circles frown upon the practice of using FB contacts as a method of proving a working skills because, well, FB is an open network that allows anybody to send a friend request or a message, whether you actually know that person or not. The mere fact that people can click on a "Send Friend Request" button on your FB page and you magically have more friends than you can ever have dreamed of doesn't impress the reviewer. Yes, even if it is a circle of people based upon your previous exposure to certain activities. What the reviewer is looking for is the practical application of your networking skills. I do not discount the importance of social media in today's world. I am just saying that it is always best to lay your facts based on real world application rather than virtual reality.

Chevening also accepts networks created through civic related activities. So your church group really works to your advantage in this case. I suggest building the image of your networking abilities using that part of your skill set instead. I can see the potential to do so just by reading the overview you have presented. I hope that you can work on it.

Now, as far as the final statement is concerned, you mentioned how your network can help you when you return to your country. You missed out on another important aspect of the prompt requirements by-this-much. Please create a connection between your network, how you will use your network, and how Chevening can benefit from this network of yours in the future. How will your network help you pay if forward to the scholarship that helped you achieve a career altering dream of yours?