I’ll start with a confession: nothing I’m about to say is particularly revolutionary, nor is it meant to make fun of anyone–besides perhaps myself. After recently dusting off my professional online presence after a hiatus, I noticed a wave of new posts from younger students. Many of them felt strikingly similar–honestly, a bit forced, more like something done out of obligation than a sincere celebration of achievements. It got me thinking about one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learnt when it comes to navigating the strange world of networking and work: not to take myself too seriously. The ability to laugh at my own missteps has been a game-changer, especially when it comes to knowing where to put my energy. So, I wanted to share a simple reminder: at this stage, it’s not about looking like you’ve got it all figured out. What really counts is being yourself, getting stuck in, and focusing your efforts where they matter most.
So, let’s dive in.
We’ve all heard it before: “LinkedIn is cringe.” It’s like a purposefully curated, corporate version of Facebook, where people flex their job titles and humblebrag their way into your feed. It’s been called everything from a self-promotion machine to Instagram for professionals. And while I won’t argue against these sentiments, the irony is that calling LinkedIn “cringe” has now become just as repetitive as the content people critique. Like any social platform, LinkedIn has its place. It’s not just a space for announcements and achievements but also a tool for connecting with people you’ve lost touch with, keeping tabs on what others are up to, and occasionally shooting your shot by cold-messaging that one person who could change your career trajectory. Sure, the success rate is iffy, but it’s still one of the few spaces where messaging a random career professional doesn’t feel entirely incongruous.
What I’ve noticed more recently, however, is a trend of posts and profiles that seem almost AI-generated. It’s not just the overuse of jargon but the bland, cookie-cutter bios that make me think, “Surely, a real person didn’t write this?” But then again, perhaps it’s just another bout of copying and pasting other people’s posts. The profiles I am pin-pointing are often highlighting connections to prestigious institutions and emphasising the high rankings of these establishments without ever digging into the actual impact or substance of their work and its impact. This all makes me wonder–why are we doing this? Why are we so quick to present a polished version of ourselves that often feels hollow? That identifies our value by comparison to the organisations and foundations we support, work or study at. Is it fear of not measuring up, or have we simply been conditioned to believe that this kind of self-promotion is the key to success?
This brings me to the topic of hard work–one of the most misunderstood concepts in professional life. I’ve found that hard work isn’t just about grinding away for hours on end; it’s about where you choose to put that effort. The famous catchphrase “work smart, not hard” comes to mind. People can spend weeks obsessively searching for the perfect, high-paying job, waiting for the stars to align, but while you’re waiting, someone else has already started working, maybe at a lower rung on the ladder, but they are gaining experience, building connections, and slowly but surely advancing. It seems to me that, especially recent graduates, are waiting for the metaphorical river of opportunities to slow down so that they might reach in and grab the one they want–when in reality, the current is never going to calm, and you’ve just got to wade in and embrace the tidal flow. In short, your efforts only show progress if they’re directed at the right targets.
This lack of direction is something I’ve seen repeatedly in my own experiences–people waiting for the perfect opportunity rather than making the most of the opportunities in front of them. I think of it like planting a garden. You can water your seeds all day, but all that effort will not lead to a luscious garden but instead a patch of wet dirt and drowned seeds. On the other hand, if those seeds are scattered far and wide, then with even minimal effort, wondrous results can be achieved. It’s not just about working hard; it’s about working smart and knowing where your efforts will actually make an impact.
This leads me to networking–another word that’s both overused and seemingly misunderstood. I’ve been to my fair share of networking events, and let me tell you, they’re not always as glamorous as they are made out to be. More often than not, they’re awkward affairs where you find yourself being interrupted mid-conversation by someone swooping in to grab your details, exchange business cards and then bolt off to their next “target.” At first, these moments used to frustrate me. But with time, I’ve come to find them amusing. After all, what’s the point of taking the situation so seriously?
I used to see these people as “social climbers,” but over time, my perspective has softened. Now, I think many are just following advice they’ve been given–however misguided it might be. We’re told from a young age that this is how we should network, that we need to be assertive, proactive, and always on the lookout for our next big break. The problem is that this advice often leads to people chasing partnerships rather than cultivating them. Networking is about creating relationships with people, not about trophying the number of business cards you collected or new LinkedIn connections that were made. What I’ve found is that, more often than not, the best connections are formed when you stop trying to accumulate them.
I think there is a comfort in this amassing of business cards. I’ve noticed during my time abroad how easily we all slip into what’s familiar. Exchange students, for example, tend to stick with other exchange students, sharing a language or culture is comforting when you are far from home, but it’s rare to see anyone stepping out away from these comfort zones. It’s understandable, of course. But I think we must encourage ourselves to go beyond what’s familiar and comfortable. Albert Camus, an absurdist philosopher, once wrote: “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” This serves as a reminder that we don’t need to strive for polished perfection. Embracing our oddities and imperfections might just lead to the most meaningful connections. This doesn’t mean we have to throw ourselves completely into the deep-end, but even the smallest effort to create a real connection can lead to experiences that will stay with you.
A concept I’ve always found useful is the Mere Exposure Effect. It’s simple: the more people see or hear you, the more likely they are to feel positively towards you. In other words, just by being present–showing up in the right places, connecting in small, consistent ways–you’re already halfway to building something meaningful. Networking isn’t about grand gestures or flawless execution, like hard work, is easy to label as transactional. We expect every interaction to lead to something tangible–whether it’s a connection, a favour, or better, a job. But sometimes, the best interactions at networking events are the ones that don’t feel transactional at all. Some of the most productive relationships I’ve formulated at these events have started as simple conversations with no real agenda on either person’s side. After establishing a common ground, over time the communication grew naturally into something more–collaborations, friendships, and yes, even business partnerships. There’s a certain psychology to this explored by Robert Cialdini. Known for his work on the science of influence, he has identified and highlighted reciprocity, showing that people are more likely to help those who’ve helped them, even in small ways. It’s a principle that, when applied genuinely, can transform how we approach both networking and work.
In the end, success–whether in Scotland or the wider world–comes down to forging relationships, well-placed effort, and knowing when to laugh at yourself. Networking isn’t about collecting business cards; it’s about building real connections and being memorable in all the right ways. Hard work isn’t just about putting in the hours; it’s about directing those hours toward the right things. And if there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s that you’re never going to get it all right, but maybe that’s what makes you memorable and gets you the experience needed to build relations you didn’t know you had the confidence to facilitate. So, embrace the awkwardness, accept your quirks, and make the most of the opportunities in front of you. Whether you’re in Glasgow or Tokyo, the path to success isn’t always straight–but it’s always worth walking.
Magnus is a Norwegian second year International Business student at the University of Edinburgh.
