I have been in musical theater ever since I was in first grade. Little 8 year old Kyle was the opening act of Leipsic High School’s production of South Pacific. The director instructed me it would be dark in the theater and I would not be able to see the audience when I started. The music started up so I began singing and boy was it dark in there- Miriam was right! Some minutes later we started the production over again because the lights in fact never turned on- hence why it was so dark. Nonetheless, I continued my singing because I had always been told “The show must go on!”, and so sparked my love of theater and my greater understanding that the show always goes on.
I have gone through a lot of transitions in my life within the past couple years from a small town high school, to a large university, to an even larger city. Upon arriving in DC, a long way from Leipsic (population 2) and the University of Cincinnati, the instructors pounded into our brains a new lesson. 
This lesson is one on the importance of building a network. With so many great people and connections here at our fingertips, that is precisely what I am going to do. Forbes recently came out with a list of tips to help build a strong network of people ( but I am here to tell you my own tips; they are better anyway.
Be nice to everyone you meet
Whether it be the man who stepped on the back of your shoe at the metro station or the professor you cannot stand to listen to, be kind and courteous. You really never know when you may need them or their network of people in the future. Save yourself the hassle and always go the extra mile to be kind.
College and beyond provides many opportunities for social gatherings of many types. My freshman year of college I was attending a said social gathering and started playing a game with a group of people I did not know. One of the girls looked and me and said “You’re a lot of fun, would you want a job at Chipotle?” Networking!
Be active on social media
Having multiple social media accounts and staying active on them ensures that you are always brought to the front of people’s minds. This makes you relevant. Being relevant means people know you and feel like they have some sort of relationship with you. This relationship, no matter the depth, may prove useful later.
Utilize the single life
What do single people do- go on dates! Do not be afraid to utilize dating tools; this is 2017 and it is no longer taboo or embarrassing. Through various dating tools I have gone on dates ranging from NFL players to head honchos at news media outlets. Utilize what the 21st century has provided and one shall be given a great network of contacts, some really great stories and a few free meals along the way.
Have a set of goals and morals
Having a set of goals gives you motivation. Motivation drives you to carry out the past 4 tips. Having morals and sticking to them gives your possible contacts and connections something to admire about you. Admiration leads to respect and when you are respected, you are treated as an equal and not an underling. Its a lot like an equation but the solution always equals success!
Along the way, you will experience roadblocks, much like when the lights never came on in my first grade debut. Though when you follow your motivation and the saying “the show must go on!”, you will soon have an exponential amount of contacts who all have their own individual set of contacts. Networking is how you get ahead and when you’re a step ahead of the competition, you are on track to to a successful future.
Voilå! Networking!
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