When I started my part-time MBA at NYU Stern last year, I knew networking would be important. What I didn’t expect was just how overwhelming it would feel at first.
Round-the-clock intros. Endless small talk. The anxiety of “sellingyourself” within three minutes or less. Every conversation started to sound the same — and honestly, it was exhausting.
I used to think that networking was about impressing: the perfect elevator pitch, the smooth LinkedIn bio, the polished image. But somewhere along the way — while juggling a full-time tech job, a side hustle, and a personal finance blog — I saw something significant:
Networking isn’t about impressing; it’s about being curious, being relatable, and being present.
The moment my mindset shifted, so did everything else.
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The Volume Problem: Why I Needed a System
Today, I meet on average 10+ new people every week. With MBA events, startup communities, industry meetups, and informal chats on campus, the count added up quickly.
In a matter of months, I started to feel the gaps:
-Forgetting key details about people I’d genuinely enjoyed meeting
-Losing track of people I’d said I’d follow up with
-Missing opportunities because the connections withered before they could develop
It wasn’t that I wasn’t trying — it was just that I wasn’t tracking.
That’s when I developed a basic system that transformed everything: a one-page networking log.
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What I Track (And Why It Works)
At the end of each important conversation, I spend 2–3 minutes noting:
-How we met — (event, intro, random, classmate, etc.)
-What we talked about — (2–4 quick bullets: career goals, commoninterests, life updates)
-How the conversation felt — (energizing, awkward, inspiring, natural)
-How I think they felt — (were they excited to connect? Did it feel mutual?)
-Anything unique that stood out — (intimate humor, nerd jokes, potential future projects)
-When to follow up — (and how — email, coffee meetup, event invitation)
It’s not glamorous. It’s not even robotic. It’s just a simple Google Sheet with a few columns. But the impact has been massive.
Here’s what changed:
-I remember small but meaningful things that contribute to richer relationships.
-I act on intentionality, not just when I “have time.”
-I notice patterns — what types of people, industries, or conversations actually energize me.
-I build bridges for collaboration, mentorship, and even future career opportunities — because I’m not losing sight of valuable connections.
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Why Simplicity Wins
The most prevalent myth about networking is that it has to be complicated — that you need fancy systems, CRM tools, or an endless series of coffee dates to “do it right.”
But nine times out of ten, the simplest habits are the ones that make the biggest impact.
For me, it wasn’t about attending more events or sending more emails.
It was about taking a brief moment of intentionality after each interaction — a moment to seize what mattered before it got away.
That simple habit gave me clarity, consistency, and confidence — even during the busiest months of my MBA.
If You’re Struggling With Networking, Try This
If you ever:
-Forgot the individual you met in networking occasions
-Failed to follow up with someone with whom you really clicked
-Had an experience of feeling like all your networking was isolated and random
…then this easy-to-follow tracking system might just be able to assist you as well.
You don’t need a perfect elevator pitch or rainbow-hued CRM in order to develop a real network.
You just need to make every chat matter — because it does.
And sometimes, all it takes is one spreadsheet to keep you from missing the opportunities (or friendships) right under your nose.
Final Thought:
Don’t underestimate simple tools — especially if you’re not yet tracking the things that actually get you moving.
Start small. Stay curious. Be present. The results might surprise you.