Who You Know, Networking, and Associations to Contact
The old adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is incredibly true. Contact people in your network who can offer guidance, recommendations, or even interviews. This can be incredibly helpful when determining your career and your geographic openness.
There are several reasons why many people have careers within the same industries as their parents: they grew up around those kinds of businesses; they have a network of people to talk to; they can get advice and counsel on how to get started,. It is a solid pathway to a job and career.
Get involved with industry trade groups. Contact industry associations, share your career interests, ask for recommendations on people to talk to who can advise career steps, ask for career recommendations for candidates like yourself, see if there are upcoming social events and trade shows you can attend to meet people and potentially hand out your resume.
Contact the alumni groups from your university or college, as well as the academic department from which you graduated. Social and charity groups can provide opportunities to meet people (www.kiwanis.org, ww.rotary.org). Even your personal hobbies and interests can help you connect with people; never know who knows who!
Get out there and meet people. Not just online - but IRL at events, trade shows, networking gatherings, social events, etc. Look for local networks.
New job organizations are forming to help people find careers. Here’s an example: www.slopartners.org
Associations to contact: Let’s say you are really interested in food and healthy living, so you look into the fresh produce industry. You will find that the fresh produce, food, and agriculture industries are among the most fast paced, evolving, and underrated areas of business for great careers. The advancements in technology, supply chain, and consumer choice are driving these industries into a number of new and exciting directions. Check out these associations to learn more:
Professional Associations & Trade Organizations within the Fresh Produce Industry:
PMA Produce Marketing Association
California Fresh Fruit Association
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
Fresh Produce & Floral Council
Fresh Produce Association of Americas
Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers
Texas International Produce Association
Western Growers Association Jobs
Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology
Wisconsin Growers Associations
Do a Google or Bing search for industry trade associations in which you are interested. Use different terms and word orders, and go beyond the first page of results; recommend going into 3 + pages to see what the search generates.
Keyword search examples, copy and paste the following phrases into Google or Bing, then create your own:
(industry associations sustainability)
(trade associations organic food)