In our last blog, Social Media: Part 2, we continued our look at that essential and ever-present part of young people’s lives- how it affects us and how we can manage it in healthy ways.

This month, we’re going to explore networking and why it’s a skill worth understanding and practising.

When you hear the word networking, you might imagine awkward conversations, feeling out of place or having to talk to adults who seem to know exactly what they’re doing. That can make networking feel intimidating or like something you should avoid altogether.

The truth is, networking isn’t about being confident, polished or having a clear plan. It’s about connecting with people, learning from them and giving yourself more options for the future.

In this blog, we’ll look at:

what networking really means
why it matters to you
where networking happens
easy ways to start and follow up conversations
how you can build confidence and make connections
a list of local events and useful websites where you can put these skills into practice

“Everyone you’ll ever meet knows something you don’t.” - Bill Nye, Science educator, engineer and television presenter

What networking really means

Networking is not about impressing people or pretending to be someone you’re not.

Networking is:

talking to people
asking questions
listening
learning about options you didn’t know existed

You don’t need to know what career you want, you don’t need experience and you don’t need to be confident. You just need to be curious and open.

Why networking matters to you

Even if you’re still at school or college, the people you talk to can make a big difference.

Networking can help you:

discover careers and pathways you didn’t know about
understand what different jobs are really like
hear real stories, not just job descriptions
find out about courses, apprenticeships and opportunities
build confidence talking to different people

A lot of opportunities don’t start with an application- they start with a conversation. According to UK careers research, around 40% of people find jobs through their network, rather than through adverts alone showing how important conversations and connections can be.

Where networking happens

You don’t need to attend a formal networking event to network. It happens in everyday situations, such as:

college or university open days
careers events and employer talks
apprenticeship information evenings
volunteering sessions
community events
part-time jobs
clubs, sports and social groups

Any time you’re around people who are sharing what they do or how they got there, networking is happening.

Easy ways to start and follow up conversations

You don’t need clever lines. Simple questions work best.

Try starting with:

“What do you do?”
“How did you get into that?”
“What’s your favourite part of your job?”
“What would you recommend for someone my age?”

Most people enjoy talking about their experiences, especially when you show genuine interest in what they’re saying.

Talking about yourself

If someone asks you about yourself, keep it simple.

You could say:

“I’m at school just now and starting to think about what I might do next.”
“I’m in S5 and exploring different options for after school.”
“I’m at college at the moment and still figuring out what I’m interested in.”
“I’m working part-time just now and thinking about training or apprenticeships.”
“I’m not sure what I want to do yet, but I’m keen to learn more.”

That’s enough. You don’t need a plan or a perfect answer.

Listening is the most important skill

Networking isn’t about talking as much as possible. It’s about listening.

When you listen:

you learn more
people feel respected
conversations feel more natural

Listening well is a skill that will help you in education, work and life.

Following up after a conversation

If someone gives you advice, a website or suggests something to look into, following up shows interest and maturity.

This could be as simple as a thank you email:

“Thanks for chatting with me- I really appreciated your advice.”

You’re not being annoying. You’re being respectful.

How you can build confidence and make connections

Asking about Work Experience or sharing a CV

Sometimes, after a good conversation, you might feel interested in learning more. If it feels appropriate, it’s ok to ask about:

work experience
volunteering
job shadowing
or whether you could share a CV

This works best after you’ve already had a conversation and shown genuine interest.

You could say:

“Do you ever offer work experience or short placements?”
“Would it be ok if I sent you my CV?”
“Is there anyone you’d recommend I speak to?”

It’s important to remember:

a no isn’t personal
some organisations have rules or limited space
asking politely shows confidence, not entitlement

Even if nothing comes from it straight away, you’ve practised an important life skill.

If networking feels nerve-racking

Feeling nervous is normal. Most people feel this way, even adults.

A few tips:

arrive early when things are quieter
set yourself a small goal (one conversation is enough)
go with a friend or family member, but try not to stay together the whole time
remind yourself that no one expects you to know everything

Confidence grows by practising, not by waiting to feel ready.

*“Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities.”* - Michele Jennae

A small challenge for you

This month, try one of these:

ask one question at an event
talk to one new person
listen to someone’s story about their job or studies

Then ask yourself: What did I learn?

Networking isn’t about collecting contacts or getting everything right, it’s about learning, connecting and giving yourself more choices.

And that’s something you can start doing right now.

Local events & opportunities

Here are some links to events and opportunities running around Badenoch & Strathspey and Inverness that you might find useful for practising the networking tips in this blog or just exploring careers, skills and interests.

UHI Inverness Open Days & Applicant Events These events at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) give you a chance to explore courses, chat directly with lecturers and find out about student life, apprenticeships and career-related options. (Check the UHI website for current dates.)
Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Inverness & Central Highland Careers Events DYW runs free careers events and employer engagement activities designed to help you find out about a wide range of jobs, apprenticeships and training options in the region.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week (2–6 March 2026) Across Scotland, including the Highland region, Scottish Apprenticeship Week brings together employers, apprentices, training providers and young people for talks, info sessions and employer engagement. A great chance to find out about apprenticeship routes and pathways.
UK Careers Fair – Inverness (Aug 28, 2026): a large careers fair where you can meet local and national employers face-to-face.
Hi-Hope Highland - Information & opportunities for young people: an online resource packed with information for young people in the Highlands. It brings together advice and listings for things like work placements, training, jobs, volunteering and career planning, all aimed at helping you think about what’s next after school.
Eden Court in Inverness is Scotland’s largest combined arts centre, offering a wide range of creative opportunities for all ages throughout the year.
Want to get involved in volunteering? Ask VABS about local opportunities and they’ll help you find something that suits your interests. Volunteering hours may also count towards a Saltire Award, which recognises young people’s contributions to their communities.
The Visit Cairngorms events calendar lists a wide range of community and local events across the National Park from free cinema nights and outdoor activities to guided walks, festivals, music, arts, Highland games and more.
Check out the High Life Highland website for local activities, events, classes and courses across the Highlands, as well as community services, facilities and current job opportunities.
Try Cairngorms Jobs on Facebook for local job vacancies, training courses and apprenticeship opportunities across Badenoch & Strathspey and the wider Cairngorms area.

There are lots of interesting networking opportunities across our area. If you’d like support to connect with someone, an organisation or an event linked to your interests, please get in touch- we’re here to help.