Experience = Network

It doesn’t matter what you may know but what matters is whom you know, a cliché that I heard over and over when arguments comparing the importance of work experience versus having a good network arise. Having a solid network is based upon your relationship that is built within a particular and many discourses, throughout the progression of an individual profession, and outside the realm of profession. The social and professional network is built primarily for an individual to have as a backbone; supporting by helps opening the gateway for opportunities to advance in life and career. Experience within the workforce requires an individual going beyond building a relationship. It is about earning and learning transferable skills to progress forward. Maintaining a solid network has its merits but it does not outweigh work experiences a person may gain. Without experience there is no network.

According to the article, What You Know or Who You Know, “experience fosters connections as well as skills,” suggesting through experience skills and a solid network may develop. Work experience reflects the accumulation of social and professional network. The different type of experience that is obtained affects an individual job match that a potential employer is seeking. Amplified experience speaks loudly about a person’s skill set, capabilities, and potential. Through gained work experience, you may benefit by developing a range of transferable skills, open options for positive career choices, and gain useful contacts for networking.

The process of starting a new career obliviously begins with an interview; during the interview, questions and criteria are based on the candidates work experience that is related to the particular industry, which may dictate their employment. Work experience can be gained through a variety of work even before you start your career, such as voluntary work, internship, and in several other forms. It is important to seize the opportunity to obtain work experience before trying to build a network. Network is built through an individual experience so in turn without experience there is no network.