Rant: Everyone says network constantly, but my career boost came from skipping an event

In my experience, people push networking as the only way to get ahead. Your mileage may vary, but I think that advice can be wrong sometimes. Last week, I chose to finish a tough task at my job instead of going to a recommended seminar. My supervisor noticed my work and gave me credit during a team call. It was a small win, but it showed me that focusing on your current role can pay off too.

3 comments

3 Comments

nancyhernandez2d ago

That "small win" you mentioned is interesting. Do you think your supervisor would have noticed your work just as much if you had gone to the seminar and finished the task later? I'm curious which one you feel actually matters more for making a real move up where you work.

milaw141d ago

Watched my friend skip a big department mixer to finish a project early. Our boss praised her reliability the next day but totally forgot who showed up to network. Turns out consistent small deliveries built more trust than any one event.

shanelee2d ago

But wait, what if the seminar was the bigger deal for getting ahead? Learning new things there could actually help you do your job better later. Your boss might just expect tasks done on time, so that's normal. But choosing to learn shows you're thinking about the future. Plus, those events let you talk to people from other teams who might remember you. That kind of thing can open doors a finished report never will.