For some, the skills needed to network seem to come naturally. For others, networking can be uncomfortable, stress inducing and easily avoidable. Although a successful career isn’t built on networking alone, building relationships with others in the industry, potential clients and future employers can help professional skills and experiences stand out in a crowd.

There are no shortage of networking events that take place in our area, but capitalizing on these opportunities can be challenging. Charleston Young Professionals saw this challenge as an opportunity to help educate those who felt their networking skills could use some work. That is where Sean McColl, Managing Director and Chief Growth Strategist with Trusted Business Advisors came in. Tuesday evening, Networking with Less Stress was held at the College of Charleston School of Business, where Sean spoke to a room full of CYP and Chamber members on how to prepare for networking opportunities, including developing a value statement around your genuine passions, thinking about inspired questions to ask in conversations, the do’s and don’t of networking and maintaining your network.

Additional key takeaways included:

• Active listening plays a large role in successful networking.
• Sometimes its okay to talk about more than just business. Conversations should be natural and authentic.
• If you want to be interesting, be interested in what others are saying.

Attendees had the opportunity to break out in small groups to practice their new and developing skills, alongside others who shared the same feelings of unease in networking. To cap off the evening, participants had the opportunity to get a new headshot, free of charge, thanks to Josh Walker, while Ross Printing was on site to share how to develop your personal brand.

Events like Networking with Less Stress provide Chamber and CYP members the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, build their community and connect with others in the Charleston metro area.

CYP’s mission is to develop young professional in the Charleston area by focusing on Connections, Policy, Professional Development and Service. CYP events are always open to all Chamber members, so be sure to check out upcoming events.

Tourism in Our Town is the next CYP event, slated for Wednesday, June 21, at the Charleston Visitors Bureau. To learn more about CYP, visit      https://www.charlestonchamber.org/charleston-young-professionals/