As a lifelong introvert, I dreaded the idea of speaking to strangers and avoided any networking event that came my way. I still feel small-to-moderate flutters of anxiety when I have to maintain conversations with people I don’t know, but reframing each interaction helps me recognize the value of building connections.
Instead of viewing networking as a chore, I consider it another opportunity to learn someone’s story and play a role in their journey, no matter how big or small. Networking is synonymous with relationship-building, when all parties experience empowerment together and cultivate an impactful, long-lasting partnership.
During our September CCWomen+ virtual meetup, our members shared how their perspectives changed after joining a women’s networking group. Here’s what they had to say.
I used to view networking as a way to leverage myself and advance my career. It was a purely career and goal-driven task that felt transactional rather than relational. But networking became a lot more than that after I met other women through CCW and CCWomen.
Now, it’s about building relationships in and out of the industry and ensuring my network is sustainable. I don’t meet and connect with a million people. I seek deeper, more meaningful relationships with people who are diverse in opinion and thought.
When I first started networking, I hated it. I was afraid of it because I felt like I was bothering others and taking their time away. It took me a while to have conversations where I didn’t feel like I was checking off a task.
Now, I upkeep my network. I don’t connect with others just that one time via LinkedIn, but I sustain relationships by checking in every so often if I’m working on something related to what another individual is doing. I step outside my own little box and meet people, not just in customer contact but even in fields I’m interested in. Networking is all about practicing the courage to do this regularly.
I continue learning what it means to network and build connections with other women; that’s what I love about CCW. We attend conferences and join different discussions, and it’s helped me find my voice and speak out.
Two years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined entering this kind of meeting and contributing to the conversation. I feel like I can speak my mind with CCWomen, and no one judges me for what I say or where I come from.
I spent 19 years running a nonprofit in New Jersey, so my networking in the past was more about the legislature and always trying to meet the right people who could advance my narrative. I did it just to get my work done.
I currently work in a highly male-dominated industry, so I’ve changed my networking focus to find more women in business and try to understand what I can do to empower them. I want to help keep them informed about how times are changing and have conversations about what they do.
When you’re put into groups like CCWomen, you have the opportunity to meet people who truly support you. That’s the real joy of what we have here in our community.
Networking has many definitions. I’ve learned that you can get further by being less professional and that more gets done through friendship.
I wasn’t skilled at networking 30 years ago. I didn’t willingly talk to people I didn’t know. Now, it’s a vehicle for several of my endeavors. I can create relationships with people for my business and professional work, but I also make genuine friends—and sometimes, they turn into my business partners as well.
Networking has been a new learning experience for me, especially within CCWomen. I ended up here last Fall through various situations, but sometimes, you end up exactly where you need to be. Now, networking means trading acknowledgment, encouragement, and support with your community of people. Networking involves thinking, “What is mine to give? How can I give back?” Sometimes, I’m blown away by what I receive from my relationships.
There are plenty of women's business networking groups. What makes CCWomen different? As a community platform for women and allies, we welcome everyone to the table and provide a stage for diverse stories—whether people focus on their career journeys, thought leadership, mental health, or more.
Individually, we reclaim our narratives and empower our personal career growth. Together, we envision and pursue a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Your unique voice is what makes us strong.