As a young professional in the East Midlands, you’ll be no stranger to the wide range of networking opportunities to get involved in. Perhaps you’re a person who loves attending events or maybe you’re someone who feels daunted by the prospect of putting yourself out there. Whether you love or loathe networking and personal branding, it can have positive outcomes and based on my own experiences, here’s just a few:
Networking isn’t just about collecting business cards or attending events—it’s about building genuine relationships and connections. Every interaction is an opportunity to expand your network and exchange valuable insight with likeminded people.
In the East Midlands, you’re fortunate to be part of a vibrant business community brimming with talent and innovation. Networking provides the chance to learn from others and also gives a platform to contribute to others at different stages of their career journeys. Networks like Generation Next have connected me with people across a variety of industries; each have diverse ways of thinking and different approaches which I’ve been able to take inspiration from and vice-versa.
With so much of our lives now being digital, it’s no surprise that personal branding has become a powerful tool for young professionals to distinguish themselves in a crowded market. Your personal brand is more than just a logo or a tagline—it’s the essence of who you are, what you stand for, and the value you bring to the table.
My experience at ER Recruitment provides unique insight into the need for individuals to have a presence beyond their CV to get noticed and stand out as top talent be it now or in the future. This may include having a presence on LinkedIn and using the platform to showcase not only what you can do, but also establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.
Your journey so far as a young professional has undoubtedly been shaped by moments of growth, learning, and self-discovery. Growing in confidence was huge for me as a young person in business, there were many times I felt imposter syndrome or wanted to shy away from new experiences – but each of those helped shape me into the professional I am today.
The confidence you build and the connections you make early on really do help to set the foundations for your future growth. You never know who you may meet early on that may become future colleagues, clients or even just part of your peer support network.
So whether you’re a serial socialiser who sees the value of networking, or you’re a newbie who isn’t quite sure – you are welcome within our Generation Next network! As a group of young, innovative and friendly individuals across a range of sectors, we’ll share experience, advice and fun along the way to help boost your connections and confidence as an emerging leader.
To find out more about our network, or book on to one of our upcoming events, see here: https://generationnextemc.co.uk/event/
