"Never Eat Alone"

Welcome back to those students who enjoyed a much needed Fall Break! Over the break I began reading a book about success that I wanted to share with my blog readers, entitled, "Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi. The book guides its readers to build a lifelong community of colleagues, contacts, friends and mentors; essentially, your own unique network that will bring much success along the way. As I enter my senior year at NC State I have begun to realize how critical a strategic network can be for job hunting, advice or lasting friendships for life. The book is broken down into four sections: the mind set, the skill set, turning connections into compatriots, turning up and trading back. Each section has a thoughtfully constructed message to help readers develop strength and depth in their social networks. Ferrazzi speaks to importance of the physical connection rather than the digital connection because it makes people remember you as an individual. A few intriguing quotes from the book: "Relationships are more like muscles- the more you work them the stronger they become." "Like my dad said- no one becomes an astronaut by accident." As we gear up for the holiday seasons filled with family, friends and, most likely, delicious food do not forget to add to your network in these social times, after all, "your network is considered your net worth!"  G