The size of your network is a pointer to your net worth. Networking Essay

Kindly provide some feedback on my Networking essay. Thanks!

Chevening Scholarship - Networking Essay

It is generally said that the size of your network is a pointer to your net worth. This indicates that the ability to interact and engage with others cannot be substituted by an abundance of formal skill. It is also important to be considered a channel of help as this attracts people to your network.

From my undergraduate days as a student leader, I have consciously developed my network by actively participating and lending my time and insight into the planning of student activities. Directly or indirectly, a huge part of my network today is tied to this phase of my life. My business partner and a number of people I work with today are products of that network. One recent example from this network, I was having difficulty with a certain project at work and I called on a contact from school who was able to provide some significant direction for me to close out on the project.

My first major chance to network outside of an academic setting was in 2013 when I attended the 'Lasgidi' Hackathon organised by IBM where I had the opportunity of meeting some of the leaders of the business for West Africa. I am presently in touch with some of these people and they give me career and business advice.

While undergoing my mandatory year of service to my country, Nigeria, I made myself available to assist my peers in any way I could. I was nominated by the outgoing leader and subsequently appointed the leader of my Community Development Service (CDS) group by my peers. I served in this capacity for about six months until the end of my service year. Under my leadership, we raised funds and carried out a relief program at a general hospital in the state, during which we provided some basic amenities and edibles to patients.

My volunteer work has also opened me up to a different network. My engagements with HOPE Foundation contributed to my current employment. I believe my prior engagements within the organisation stood me in good stead as a senior colleague directed my attention to a job at his place of work.

As a result of my current role as the C.I.T.Y Training coordinator at HOPE, I also boast of active connections with people across the country. These various connections have allowed me to receive first-hand information such as job openings, events and engagements that are of benefit thereby enabling me to add value to others.

One of my goals when selected as a Chevening scholar, is to connect to a network of like minds, that will help birth solutions that are scalable and improve the lives of people in our various countries. I have also begun to engage previous and current Chevening scholars and alumni in my preferred schools.

Babatunde, you have made very, very little, almost negligible changes to this essay from the original that you used for the leadership essay. Tis is definitely NOT a networking essay. It is once again, a listing of duties and responsibilities on your part. Nothing more. Your networking references are self centered, always used in the pursuit of a job instead of the improvement of a profession related task of community needs. This essay one of the weakest and unimpressive presentations that I have read for this cycle of applications.

I already told you that your best bet for the networking essay is to focus your discussion on one sole activity alone your participation in the CDS in your capacity as the leader of the fund raising drive. A fund raising drive is always one of the best ways to prove an actual professional or community based network. In this instance, it will also help to support your leadership essay as you will prove to be a networking leader in the process. It will strengthen your leadership essay to focus on a national level in relation to your community or military based network. Either of which will show that you have a network that will be of interest to Chevening and its scholarship community.

Your essay lacks a definitive explanation of why you believe Chevening should pay attention to the importance of your network. You need to sell them on the idea that your network has a tremendous value that the former and current scholars can benefit from. Don't constantly focus on YOU in the networking essay. You need to show an exchange of usefulness and active networking participation that will sell your network as one of your strengths as an applicant.

By the way, be cautious of mentioning names in your networking essay. If you don't have permission to use their names and they will not be supporting your application with a recommendation letter, it is best not to mention them. You can mention offices, departments and position titles, but never names unless they have given you express permission to do so.