Leadership Lessons: Networking towards career advancement

Networking is a critical component for career advancement. A strong professional network can open doors to new opportunities, provide support, and foster collaboration.

For African women in data analytics, networking is about building a community that understands and supports their unique challenges.

I must be clear that networking involves building and nurturing professional relationships. This includes connecting with colleagues, industry leaders and peers through various platforms, not only at work or in one's micro-environment but also in places such as conferences, social media and professional associations.

Another thing that most people forget about is that networking is a two-way street. Both parties need to mutually benefit from this connection otherwise you are just collecting phone numbers and business cards for decoration.

Here are a few networking strategies to get you going:

Becoming a member of professional organizations such as the African Data Science Academy or local data science meetups can provide access to valuable resources and connections. These organizations often host events, webinars and workshops that are excellent for networking.

These events offer a platform to meet industry leaders, potential mentors and peers who can provide support and opportunities for collaboration. Participating in panels, presenting research or simply engaging in discussions can significantly expand one's professional network.

Platforms like LinkedIn and X are excellent for connecting with professionals in the data analytics field. You can also use LinkedIn to connect with peers, mentors and industry leaders.

Engaging in online discussions, sharing insights and participating in webinars and virtual conferences can help build a strong professional presence.

Joining forums, discussion groups and online communities focused on data analytics can provide opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals. Platforms like Reddit, Kaggle and Data Science Central offer spaces for networking and learning.

Volunteering for industry-related projects or collaborating on research can provide opportunities to network with professionals who share similar interests. This can lead to meaningful connections and potential career opportunities.

Networking is not just about making connections but also maintaining them. Regularly engage with your network, offer support and seek advice.

When is mentorship and networking needed?

To be honest, you can never stop being mentored as you progress to different stages of your corporate life, trust me. Each stage brings diverse challenges which require varied answers and solutions to address them – hence knowing the difference in stages is important.

For African women entering the field of data analytics, mentorship and networking are crucial from the onset. Early-career professionals benefit immensely from guidance on navigating the industry, understanding organizational cultures and honing essential skills.

Nollie Maoto believes that networking is about building a community that understands and supports their unique challenges. (Source: Image by freepik.).

During career transitions – such as moving into a new role or shifting to a different area within data analytics – mentorship and networking can provide critical support. Mentors offer insights into new responsibilities and required competencies, while networks open doors to new opportunities.

For those aiming for leadership positions, mentorship and networking become indispensable. Aspiring leaders need mentors to offer strategic career advice and networks to increase their visibility and influence within the industry.

Intentional networking

I started seeing changes in the trajectory of my corporate life when I actively found myself a mentor and intentionally started networking better and smarter.

At times people do not understand the need to do either, something I came to realize with my own experience as a mentor for the Impactful Leadership NPC's Mentorship Program by reading answers from mentorship program applications.

A lot of African women do not understand the importance of being mentored and shy away from intentional networking which unfortunately continues to hinder their potential rapid career growth.

African women often face systemic barriers, including biases and limited access to resources. Mentorship helps in navigating these challenges by providing tailored advice and support, while networking opens up avenues that were previously inaccessible.

Mentors assist in identifying and developing essential skills, from technical expertise in data analytics to soft skills like communication and leadership.

Networking, on the other hand, exposes individuals to diverse perspectives and knowledge, fostering continuous learning.

Mentorship accelerates career advancement by helping mentees set and achieve professional goals. Networking further supports this by connecting individuals with potential employers, collaborators, and industry leaders who can offer new opportunities and career growth.

This was evident with my former mentees, the majority of which ended up with either promotions or new senior jobs in other organizations after the mentorship program.

Networking provides a support system of like-minded professionals, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment and I cannot emphasize this enough.

Mentorship instills confidence in mentees by offering reassurance and validation. I can attest that several of my mentees from last year managed to find their voices by the end of the mentorship program by being more vocal at work, presenting more in meetings, asking for stretch assignments and even doing public speaking.

For more advice on mentorship read my previous article: Leadership Lessons: The importance of mentorship for career growth.

Leveraging mentorship and networking

The first step is to want to advance your career. Some people are honestly happy in their comfort zones and with mediocrity and wanting to advance their careers may not necessarily be on their bingo card for the near future.

For all those that would like to know how to go about leveraging mentorship and networking I would say start here:

The Power of Community

Mentorship and networking are not just individual pursuits; they are about building a community. For African women in data analytics, creating a supportive and inclusive community can drive collective success.

By supporting each other, sharing resources and championing each other's achievements, we can create an environment where everyone can thrive.

Building a Supportive Community

It is important to attend events which offer a platform to meet industry leaders, potential mentors and peers who can provide support and opportunities for collaboration. (Source: Africa Tech Festival).

Success stories, inspiration and motivation

Sharing success stories of African women who have excelled in data analytics can inspire and motivate others. Highlighting these achievements not only celebrates their success but also provides role models for aspiring data analysts.

The lack of female representation in the tech world can leave girls attempting to pursue a career feeling uninspired.

Almost all of us look to another person when trying to pursue a career. We look for leaders in the industry and try to follow in their footsteps. Since there are so few women in the data analytics sector, it is hard for girls to find a path to follow or have someone to look up to.

The African data analytics industry boasts many exceptional female leaders. It is crucial to celebrate these role models and bring attention them, especially for girls at a young age.

Initiatives in which female data scientists, analysts or engineers speak to schools can be powerful in the formative years for both boys and girls. It is particularly hard for young girls to aspire to what they cannot see – seeing is believing. People need to see counter-stereotypical models for beliefs to change.

Documenting and sharing case studies of successful African women in data analytics can provide valuable insights and lessons for others. These case studies can highlight the importance of mentorship and networking in their journeys.

Conducting interviews and profiling successful African women in data analytics can showcase their achievements and provide inspiration. These stories can be shared through blogs, podcasts, and webinars.

The journey of African women in data analytics is one of immense potential and opportunity. However, it requires the collective effort of mentorship and networking to navigate successfully. As we continue to break barriers and redefine the industry, let us remember that our strength lies in our community.

By lifting each other up and forging strong connections, we can achieve remarkable career growth and contribute significantly to the field of data analytics.

In the words of an African proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together". Let us go far, together.

— Nollie Maoto is writing in her capacity as a member of the Africa Tech Festival Leadership Council.

She will be speaking at Africa Tech Festival 2024 which is happening in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 12-14, 2024.

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*Top image is of FNB Compliance CDAO and Africa Tech Festival Leadership Council Member Nollie Maoto. (Source: Nollie Maoto)

— Nollie Maoto, Correspondent, special to Connecting Africa