Today it is becoming increasingly important for people to have diversified and supportive connections, which can be defined as a network. One way to broaden your network is through social media. Though there are resources and opportunities all around us, we may be unaware of their existence or may not have direct access to them. In those situations, knowing people from different backgrounds and experiences is helpful. For instance, have you ever needed a letter of recommendation from someone in order to get a job, or had to rely on somebody else's knowledge in order to find a specific doctor? Without a network of resources getting this information may seem like an impossible task. By reaching out to the people you know you are engaging your social network.
Throughout our lives, we form different kinds of relationships with different people. With our family and friends, we establish "strong ties" that provide us with a sense of companionship, comfort, and security. With other people to whom we usually do not have such in-depth emotional connections, we develop "weak ties" that help us to achieve more specific needs. Even though we usually don't pay too much attention to our weak ties, some authors say that it is through them that we become aware of new opportunities and broaden our horizons.
Watch the short video below. Consider how social networking and making connections with weaker ties could lead you to future opportunities. After you watch the video, respond to the Pause and Reflect questions below.