NETWORKING IS
ABOUT
PLANTING
SEEDS AND
CULTIVATING
RELATIONSHIPS,
NOT JUST
COLLECTING
CONTACTS
NETWORKING SURVEY
RESULTS REVEALS KEY
OBSTACLES AND
OPPORTUNITIES
Insights from Healthcare Executives
Exploring survey results conducted by Adr ian Parker, FACHE and Khadija Moody, MHA
etworking is often heralded as a crucial component for career success,
yet many individuals, particularly students, face significant challenges in this area. To better
understand these difficulties and identify potential solutions, we conducted a comprehensive
survey targeting both students and professionals across various industries. The survey aimed to
uncover the main barriers to effective networking, the level of comfort participants feel in
networking situations, and the types of networking activities they prefer.
Our findings reveal insightful trends and common obstacles that individuals encounter when
trying to build and maintain professional connections. From limited time availability to
uncertainties about starting conversations, the results highlight the areas where students and
professionals alike struggle the most. Additionally, the survey sheds light on the importance of
networking for career advancement and the extent to which formal training and institutional
support play a role in overcoming these challenges.
In this article, we will delve into the detailed results of our survey, providing a clear picture of the
current state of networking among students and professionals. We will also offer
recommendations in a future article based on the data to help individuals enhance their
networking skills and leverage opportunities more effectively. Whether you are a student looking
to make your first professional connections or a seasoned professional aiming to expand your
network, these insights will be invaluable in navigating the complex world of networking.
Introduction
Data Collection & Methods
We distributed a survey to over 200 participants, comprising 12 questions about their networking
habits, preferences, and challenges. Respondents were able to select multiple choices for most
questions, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of their experiences. The survey was
structured to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights, capturing a wide range of responses
across different demographic groups. We used an online platform to facilitate ease of participation,
ensuring anonymity and encouraging honest feedback. This approach allowed us to collect data
that provides a comprehensive view of networking challenges, preferred event types, and
engagement levels among diverse participant groups.
Our survey received responses from a diverse group of participants, with a nearly even split
between students (49%) and non-students (51%). Among the students, the majority were graduate
students (30%), followed by undergraduate students (27%), and a small percentage of high school
students (1%). The remaining participants identified as “Other” (7%) or were not students at all
(35%).
Survey Results Summary
Demographics and Academic Levels
N
Comfort Levels with Networking
When it comes to comfort with networking events and activities, the responses were varied:
37% of participants reported feeling
very comfortable
31% described themselves as
somewhat comfortable
16% felt somewhat uncomfortable
10% of respondents expressed a
neutral stance regarding their comfort
level
Only 5% of participants reported
feeling very uncomfortable
This distribution suggests that while a significant portion of participants feel comfortable with
networking, there is still a notable percentage who experience discomfort or neutrality towards
these activities.
Main Barriers to Effective Networking
Participants identified several key barriers that hinder their networking efforts:
25% of individuals cited limited time or availability as a key
challenge in attending networking events
22% mentioned uncertainty about how to start
conversations as a barrier to effective networking
20% struggled with not knowing how to follow up or
maintain connections after initial interactions
12% expressed a fear of rejection or judgment, making
networking more difficult
11% lacked confidence in their social skills, which held
them back from networking effectively
9% of respondents indicated that they faced no barriers
to networking
2% reported experiencing other barriers not specified
These results highlight that time constraints and conversational uncertainties are the most
significant challenges faced by individuals when it comes to networking.
Industry Representation
Participants hailed from various industries,
with the largest group working in healthcare
(50%). Other notable industries included
business (14%), education (9%), and
government (4%). Interestingly, 19% of
respondents identified themselves primarily as
students, indicating that they may not yet be
fully integrated into a specific industry.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Figure 1. Survey response demographic.
Non-Student
51%
Student
49%
Figure 2. Networking comfort level.
Preparation for Networking Events
When preparing for networking events, participants typically engage in the following activities:
27% consider researching attendees or speakers
beforehand
25% consider bringing business cards or other
networking materials
22% consider setting specific goals or objectives
for the event
16% consider practicing conversation starters or
elevator pitches
10% consider no preparation
1% consider other forms of preparation
66% of respondents consider it extremely important
26% consider it very important
5% consider it moderately important
3% consider it slightly important
0% consider it not important at all
Perceived Importance of Networking
The importance of networking for future career success was overwhelmingly acknowledged:
Despite knowing the critical role that networking plays in career development, many are unsure
how to start conversations and how to prepare for networking events. We will be exploring the
motivations of these types of students and professionals in our next article.
Preferred Networking Activities
Participants expressed a preference for various types of networking activities:
24% consider small group networking sessions
23% consider networking with industry
professionals or executives
17% consider networking with peers or classmates
15% consider large networking conferences or
conventions
14% consider one-on-one networking meetings
6% consider virtual networking events
A majority of participants (61%) reported not having received any formal training or guidance on
networking skills, while 39% indicated that they had. This lack of formal training could be a
contributing factor to the barriers identified.
Formal Training and Guidance
Figure 3. Feelings on the importance of networking.
This data suggests that most participants take proactive steps to prepare for networking events,
although a small percentage do not prepare at all.