The Meaning of Networking

During my time with the NMSHSA 2022 Summer Internship, I have been able to enjoy everything Washington DC has to offer from many varieties of food to tourist sites. I have also had the pleasure of meeting farmworker advocacy leader Dolores Huerta and was able to meet many other known people such as Delia Garcia and Montserrat Garibay. I met with placement managers that work with the Child Labor Collation and the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs, as well as with past interns who are part of the NMSHSA Alumni Association. I was able to hear more about their goals and the change they would like for the farmworker community. 

Networking is a process of building connections and relationships with partners of various organizations. This involves exchanging information of who you are and what your interests are that will help one develop professional and social contacts. Networking can be the start to creating genuine relationships with peers that have the same goals for farmworkers and their families. It can also be used to hear other stories and the career advice they may have for you. Networking is important and very helpful and informative for any career decisions you may need to make in the future.

Before this internship I have not been exposed to much networking in Wapato, WA. One of the first things I learned to be part of networking was a thirty second pitch. This is a quick thirty second introduction of yourself with key points that will help you build connections with someone. I must admit networking did not come easy to me. The idea of introducing myself in thirty seconds just sounded bizarre! I would have to say my favorite person to network with was Delia Garcia. She is known as a public servant executive and was the youngest Latina to be a member of the Kansas House of Representatives. She was able to give me advice on how to take control in my environment and how to approach policy in Congress. Hearing her story and how driven she continues to be is truly an inspiration to myself and others.