All I can say was "It was Enchanting to meet you": A Post on Networking Night(s)

Infatuation is often mistaken for love, a lesson I learned in life.

In my case, infatuation [which Google defines as "an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something"] was often based on characteristics that someone or something didn't really possess, but were instead based on characteristics that were a figment of my imagination- wishful thinking. In other words, I'm pretty sure I made up the whole someone or something except for the physical aspects which founded the basis of infatuation. This cycle of: see, imagine, infatuation, dissolve and disgust [for the way I behaved; embarrassingly and irrationally] exists on personal and professional levels.

**This is a professional  infatuation/love story but the thoughts really do/did mirror my reactions in personal infatuation/love scenarios- for the most part**

I will begin the story by providing you with some additional thoughts that guide my perceptions about love/infatuation in a professional sense

To me:

Networking is the equivalent of dating. You meet each other online, through friends or the company just happens to catch your eye as you're walking down the street or browsing the job sites. You then begin to wonder about this company, partaking in semi-obsessive behavior in which you begin to try and find out everything about this company; their past flings (bit*ches), what they stand for, what they do, their history, family tree and genetics.

And then it happens, you begin to imagine what life would be like if you were together, working harmoniously as one to achieve the company's mission and objectives.

Eventually your dreams aren't enough, and you decide you must make a move. This is done professionally through a Linkedin add, or a cold call, or agency tours- anything that gets you in contact with the company. If this initial meeting goes well, you try even more to get to know one another, setting up more coffee dates and trying to gain exposure to the other parts of the company.

Below you will find my professional love story. I hope it inspires you to find your professional  love.

It's a love story, baby just say yes! 

There I was again tonight, forcing laughter faking smile. The same old tired lonely place. 

My story begins at yet another networking night. If you're keeping count, this is the second one I've attended this year. In short:

• Tacos were provided!  
• Sometimes I have a distaste for blogging and this assignment
• I'm so tired and,
• I was not overly impressed with the companies that came

I left networking that night tired. Tired from keeping conversations that I wasn't really interested in. Despite this I'll admit that I left with great insight into a lot of companies, but none that I thought suited me. With my time left as a student ticking, I knew I had to try harder to find a company or position to love.

I knew I had to Shake it off. 

To begin the shaking process, I enrolled myself in some industry tours made available through the career development series (which I highly recommend). These industry tours included huge advertising/media companies such as: HVAS, Pattinson, The Hamilton Spectator, PHd as well as Carat. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend one industry tour and *spoiler alert* it only took one.

This next song lyric is a long one....

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home. I'll spend forever wondering if you knew I was enchanted to meet you. 

Essentially, I showed up to this industry tour only because I had met the human resources at the first networking night and I enjoyed hearing about the company. Upon arrival at the agency's downtown location I was impressed by the decor, simple, open concept which I found most companies over did. The agency tour was set up such that the students got exposure to the several pillars/companies that made up the Dentsu Aegnis network. But my favorite speaker: Jennifer of consumer insights [Although I really liked every speaker]. Intrigued by every speaker, I had so many questions and only a limited amount of time. I really would have liked to spend all day there.

At the end of the tour, three students were selected for a chance to win a week internship and learn all about the company. I didn't win.

If you could see that I'm the one who understands you. Been here all along so why can't you see you belong with me? 

I left that industry tour upset that I didn't receive that one week internship. I felt a special connection, an excitement that I was sure was specific to me alone. I really thought divine intervention would interject the laws of statistics, probability and real life. Weeks later and I'm still thinking about the agency which I will now reveal to be Carat.

This love story is to be continued...