Taking Charge of Your Career (HBR Women at Work Series)

11

Start Building Meaningful Connections

by Jenny Fernandez and Luis Velasquez

The often-repeated observation “It takes a village to raise a child” is popular for a reason. Young people need to interact with and build relationships with a variety of people to grow up well versed and to thrive—and the same advice matters in the workforce and throughout your career.

In the initial stages of your career, one of the most important things you can do is build a village of your own. We’re not talking about a college network, LinkedIn friends, or the people who you met one time at a conference. We’re referring to the relationships that will have a significant impact on your life over time—ones that can accelerate your path to a promotion, increase your ...