NETWORKING IS

ABOUT

PLANTING

SEEDS AND

CULTIVATING

RELATIONSHIPS,

NOT JUST

COLLECTING

CONTACTS

NETWORKING SURVEY

RESULTS REVEALS KEY

OBSTACLES AND

OPPORTUNITIES

Insights from Healthcare Executives

Exploring survey results conducted by Adr ian Parker, FACHE and Khadija Moody, MHA

etworking is often heralded as a crucial component for career success,

yet many individuals, particularly students, face significant challenges in this area. To better

understand these difficulties and identify potential solutions, we conducted a comprehensive

survey targeting both students and professionals across various industries. The survey aimed to

uncover the main barriers to effective networking, the level of comfort participants feel in

networking situations, and the types of networking activities they prefer.

Our findings reveal insightful trends and common obstacles that individuals encounter when

trying to build and maintain professional connections. From limited time availability to

uncertainties about starting conversations, the results highlight the areas where students and

professionals alike struggle the most. Additionally, the survey sheds light on the importance of

networking for career advancement and the extent to which formal training and institutional

support play a role in overcoming these challenges.

In this article, we will delve into the detailed results of our survey, providing a clear picture of the

current state of networking among students and professionals. We will also offer

recommendations in a future article based on the data to help individuals enhance their

networking skills and leverage opportunities more effectively. Whether you are a student looking

to make your first professional connections or a seasoned professional aiming to expand your

network, these insights will be invaluable in navigating the complex world of networking.

Introduction

Data Collection & Methods

We distributed a survey to over 200 participants, comprising 12 questions about their networking

habits, preferences, and challenges. Respondents were able to select multiple choices for most

questions, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of their experiences. The survey was

structured to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights, capturing a wide range of responses

across different demographic groups. We used an online platform to facilitate ease of participation,

ensuring anonymity and encouraging honest feedback. This approach allowed us to collect data

that provides a comprehensive view of networking challenges, preferred event types, and

engagement levels among diverse participant groups.

Our survey received responses from a diverse group of participants, with a nearly even split

between students (49%) and non-students (51%). Among the students, the majority were graduate

students (30%), followed by undergraduate students (27%), and a small percentage of high school

students (1%). The remaining participants identified as “Other” (7%) or were not students at all

(35%).

Survey Results Summary

Demographics and Academic Levels

Comfort Levels with Networking

When it comes to comfort with networking events and activities, the responses were varied:

37% of participants reported feeling

very comfortable

31% described themselves as

somewhat comfortable

16% felt somewhat uncomfortable

10% of respondents expressed a

neutral stance regarding their comfort

level

Only 5% of participants reported

feeling very uncomfortable

This distribution suggests that while a significant portion of participants feel comfortable with

networking, there is still a notable percentage who experience discomfort or neutrality towards

these activities.

Main Barriers to Effective Networking

Participants identified several key barriers that hinder their networking efforts:

25% of individuals cited limited time or availability as a key

challenge in attending networking events

22% mentioned uncertainty about how to start

conversations as a barrier to effective networking

20% struggled with not knowing how to follow up or

maintain connections after initial interactions

12% expressed a fear of rejection or judgment, making

networking more difficult

11% lacked confidence in their social skills, which held

them back from networking effectively

9% of respondents indicated that they faced no barriers

to networking

2% reported experiencing other barriers not specified

These results highlight that time constraints and conversational uncertainties are the most

significant challenges faced by individuals when it comes to networking.

Industry Representation

Participants hailed from various industries,

with the largest group working in healthcare

(50%). Other notable industries included

business (14%), education (9%), and

government (4%). Interestingly, 19% of

respondents identified themselves primarily as

students, indicating that they may not yet be

fully integrated into a specific industry.

Figure 1. Survey response demographic.

Non-Student

51%

Student

49%

Figure 2. Networking comfort level.

Preparation for Networking Events

When preparing for networking events, participants typically engage in the following activities:

27% consider researching attendees or speakers

beforehand

25% consider bringing business cards or other

networking materials

22% consider setting specific goals or objectives

for the event

16% consider practicing conversation starters or

elevator pitches

10% consider no preparation

1% consider other forms of preparation

66% of respondents consider it extremely important

26% consider it very important

5% consider it moderately important

3% consider it slightly important

0% consider it not important at all

Perceived Importance of Networking

The importance of networking for future career success was overwhelmingly acknowledged:

Despite knowing the critical role that networking plays in career development, many are unsure

how to start conversations and how to prepare for networking events. We will be exploring the

motivations of these types of students and professionals in our next article.

Preferred Networking Activities

Participants expressed a preference for various types of networking activities:

24% consider small group networking sessions

23% consider networking with industry

professionals or executives

17% consider networking with peers or classmates

15% consider large networking conferences or

conventions

14% consider one-on-one networking meetings

6% consider virtual networking events

A majority of participants (61%) reported not having received any formal training or guidance on

networking skills, while 39% indicated that they had. This lack of formal training could be a

contributing factor to the barriers identified.

Formal Training and Guidance

Figure 3. Feelings on the importance of networking.

This data suggests that most participants take proactive steps to prepare for networking events,

although a small percentage do not prepare at all.

ADRIAN PARKER, FACHE

Adrian Parker, FACHE, is a Past

President and current Member-at-Large for

ACHE of South Florida, as well as the

Board Chair for the South Florida Institute

on Aging. He also serves as the Executive

Director in the Office of Strategy &

Innovation for Broward County Public

Schools, the nation’s 6th largest school

district. With a career spanning multiple

industries and numerous leadership roles,

Adrian has attended more than one

thousand networking events, connecting

with thousands of professionals. His

dedication to fostering collaboration and

innovation is evident in his work to drive

meaningful change across industries.

KHADIJA MOODY, MHA

Khadija Moody, MHA is a two-time graduate

of the University of Miami, where she earned

her Master’s in Healthcare Administration and

excelled in local and national case competitions.

Her achievements include first-place wins at the

ACHE of South Florida Student Case

Competition and semifinalist recognition at the

N.A.H.S.E. Case Competition, where she now

serves on the Health Equity Committee of the

Greater Boston Chapter.

Currently, Khadija is an Administrative Fellow at

Boston Medical Center, gaining valuable

experience in hospital operations and leadership.

She is also an active member of the Boston Canes,

fostering alumni engagement. Passionate about the

impact of networking on her career, Khadija enjoys

sharing strategies to help others build meaningful

professional connections.

The survey results paint a comprehensive picture

of the current state of networking among

students and professionals. While the importance

of networking is widely recognized, various

barriers and a lack of formal training hinder

effective networking. By addressing these

challenges and enhancing institutional support,

individuals can better leverage networking

opportunities to advance their careers. In a future

article, we will explore actionable

recommendations and strategies to help you

overcome these barriers and become a more

effective networker.

Conclusion