Published in Imprint May 7, 2010

Waterloo has some of the most intelligent young people of any university in Canada, but you’d never realize it by walking around campus.

Nods or smiles from passing strangers are rare at best, and spontaneous conversations are at risk of extinction. Awkward silence and averted eyes cast a shadow over a land of opportunity. What a shame.

At Waterloo you can meet future millionaires, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, accountants, engineers, and business moguls. You can make professional contacts that last a lifetime. But until someone makes the effort to start a conversation, you’d never know.

So allow me to break the silence. My name is Ivan Merrow, and I want to help you build a network that can make all your dreams come true.

Network Now is about getting your professional network started. Today. Right now. Networking is about meeting new people, and about building relationships.

If you want the freedom to be able to determine your own career path, this column is for you.

If you are satisfied letting other people have control of your future, you might as well stop reading right now and flip straight to the crossword.

Networking is not a passive activity. It takes a constant effort to get to know new people wherever you go, but it is ultimately worth it. I don’t care if you want to be a registered nurse, a software developer, a rocket scientist or a prostitute. Networking will help you get the career you want and create opportunities you never thought existed.

That being said, great networks don’t happen overnight. Networking isn’t about getting 500 more Facebook friends or Twitter followers that you will never talk to. Collecting friends like rocks on a beach will get you something just as useful – a bag full of rocks.

What your network needs to be is a vibrant garden: a variety of quality relationships that have taken time and effort to develop.

With time and care your network can grow to accommodate future friends, co-workers, business partners and clients.

They will help connect you with opportunities to accomplish your goals. Sounds exciting, right?

Here’s how to get started.

Start by learning more about the people around you, and find out how you can help them. Ask questions.

Once people realize you can help them win at the game of life, they are eager to help you get ahead. As an added bonus, every time you help someone succeed it is your network that improves.

It is no secret why politicians fill powerful positions with friends and allies – keeping their friends down only keeps them down.

Also, helping people doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it can be as simple as a word of encouragement or a sincere congratulation after a job well done. Help people realize their goals and they will find ways to reward you.

Key take away point: building a network isn’t about business cards, it is about relationships. Don’t let Waterloo’s future superstars pass you by like ships in the night.