In working to figure out what exactly to do in Philadelphia, I’ve been doing more networking than ever before. The term intimidates me less than a month ago, though I still have much to learn. As an English major, I was a little confused, a little envious, and much relieved to be left out when my Business Administration and Accounting friends attended nebulous “networking” events with companies.
“So what do you do there?” I would ask, perplexed.
“You know, just talk. Introduce myself, ask about the company, tell them about myself,” would come the vague reply.
I was intrigued. How did a networking conversation differ from a regular, non-networking, human conversation? The answer, I’m learning, is that it both does and doesn’t. It’s similar because you are merely talking, communicating, exchanging information, trying to be friendly and funny like you would in meeting anyone new. Yet it’s different because you are, on some level, hoping to mutually benefit in ways more tangible than simply enjoying social interaction for its own sake. You’re more dependent on human kindness and your own charisma, hopeful that someone more important than you might take an interest and help you in a way that you cannot immediately (or maybe ever) repay.
Which brings me to part two of this entry’s title. Who hasn’t worshipped some role model from afar? Who hasn’t dreamt of becoming the next Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, or Tim Tebow? I love reading or hearing stories of current role models talk about who they wanted to become before they grew up and became someone that thousands of others would want to become. Lebron with the poster of Jordan in his childhood home. Tobias Wolff reading Hemingway and knowing he wanted to write. And is there a more inspiring, chill-inducing photograph than this?
In reaching out to people, networking, I can’t offer much to their careers at the moment. Yet, years from now, I hope to pay their kindness forward, to help those who might appreciate what help I can offer. And that’s what I like about Tebow. He takes being a role model seriously. He understands that millions of people idolize him. He seems to know how five seconds of his time and attention could keep a fifth grader floating on air for a whole year. Just look at that expression in young Bill Clinton’s eyes again. He can’t, of course, offer much beyond his gratitude. Not yet at least.
