Reaching New Heights Through Networking

My favourite story is about how I managed to get a contract with the top audio-video engineering firm in North America and take my career to the next level.  

My partner, Allan, gets quite a few industry magazines specific to professional audio and video. One day, I read about an upcoming project on Parliament Hill in Pro Sound Magazine, Canada's top pro audio. After reading about the challenges of technology integration, etc., I thought to myself, "I could be part of that and contribute what I know about the internet and technology."

I spoke with Allan about it and discovered that he had worked on a major corporate project with the president of the AV engineering firm who had the contract for Parliament Hill. Allan considered him to be a professional and very well respected in the industry, so I decided to call him at his Toronto office.

The very next day I placed the call and I got his voicemail. Not being discouraged in the slightest, I left a message stating who I am and the purpose of my call. To my delight, he called me back! As it turned out, they did need a technical writer, as well as someone who understood the internet and had an idea of the emerging wireless applications for the Parliamentary Hill campus. We met for a coffee to talk about the project and what his firm needed. He asked me if I would be part of the project. To say that moment was rewarding is an understatement!

The project went relatively well with a few bumps, which is common when working on the leading edge of technology. I contributed what I could and found the experience tremendously rewarding.  

During the course of the project, I developed my own relationships with some of North America's top audio engineers, many of whom Allan had worked with in the past. I continued my relationship with these professionals even as we all moved on to other roles. The network continued to spread, much like a spider's web. I continued to meet and network with people who might be instrumental in my career: designers, engineers, owners of top recording studios, Members of Parliament and even Prime Ministers (both Chretien & Martin).

These contacts from networking resulted in business contracts, sitting on boards and the overall development of my own professional reputation.

Networking is about being a people person and communicating who you are and how you can help. Certainly, one’s reputation follows and sometimes precedes a person, so the positive work and attitudes you contribute become who you are.

Breaking into the “A” League of pro audio was indeed a challenge, but a worthwhile one. Now that I’ve reached the top of the mountain, there was no looking back!

Barb Shackleton

More Stories >>

Share your story >>