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Recently you learned about the value of maintaining

a professional online presence and

connecting with others in the data field.

As I noted, there are

many professional networking sites such as

LinkedIn that are well worth your time and involvement.

But here's something that many people don't realize.

Some of the best opportunities are

never actually shared on a networking site.

Sometimes there are professional opportunities

that are not publicly advertised by the employer.

There are lots of reasons why

some positions are not posted.

Maybe an employer is concerned about

revealing details about confidential projects to

its competitors through a job posting or perhaps

the company HR department doesn't have

the resources to review a flood of applications.

Often a business may choose to use

a recruiter instead of posting jobs.

Let's start exploring how you can

increase your visibility to

access more opportunities

through building valuable relationships.

After all, the more people

you connect with professionally,

the greater your chances are for being referred.

Be sure to follow best-in-class organizations and

visionary business leaders on

Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Interact with them and share their content.

If there's a post you like consider

commenting with response or a thank you.

You can also search for data field webinars featuring

interesting speakers and many of these events are free.

This is another fascinating way to learn while

connecting with peers, colleagues and experts.

There are also lots of blogs and

online communities that focus on data fields.

Data and tech companies will often

talk about what's new and important

from their point of view

but there's a growing community of

bloggers and podcasters who

offer great perspectives of their own.

Now let's move to in-person networking opportunities.

The easiest way to find events is by simply searching

for data science or data analytics events in your area.

You'll likely discover a wide range

of engagement opportunities from

more formal conferences and

seminars to casual meetups and get togethers.

Non-profit associations are also wonderful resources

and may offer free or reduced

rate memberships for students.

In addition to networking,

learning from a mentor can positively

influence your career and life.

As you may know, a mentor is someone

who shares knowledge, skills,

and experience to help you grow

both professionally and personally.

Mentors are trusted advisors and valuable resources.

The first step in finding a mentor is to determine what

you're looking for to narrow down your potential list.

Think about any challenges you face or foresee and

how to address them in order to advance professionally.

Then consider who can help you grow in these areas,

as well as fortify your existing strengths.

Share these things openly when you

formally ask them what to be your mentor.

It's also helpful to note any common experiences.

Perhaps you grew up in the same city,

maybe you both worked in the same industry.

Your mentor doesn't have to be

someone you work with currently.

Many people find mentors on

LinkedIn and association mentorship program

or at a mentor matching event.

This really taught me the value of mentorship.

I also learned that having

a successful mentorship experience

requires effort and investment in time.

Whether you're preparing to ask

the right questions internalizing

the feedback or scheduling follow-up

sessions but it's well worth it.

Always be open to connecting with new people.

You never know where a single conversation will lead.