After enough years in a field, you accumulate knowledge that's genuinely valuable — to newer professionals, to founders, to companies trying to solve problems you've already solved. The question is whether anyone thinks of you first. That's what a strong network actually does. It makes you the person people call.
Location still matters more than people want to admit. If you're in marketing, being in a city like New York, San Francisco, or LA gives you access to events, organizations, and senior people that's hard to replicate elsewhere. I always recommend getting involved with established professional groups — in New York, that means organizations like She Runs It or ARF. These aren't just networking events. They put you in the same room as people who are genuinely at the top of the industry. Meetup, Eventbrite, and platforms like New York Cares are worth exploring too, especially if you want to meet people outside the usual professional circuit.
If the right community doesn't exist, build one. I co-founded a group called Tech Start while I was in New York and met founders and industry leaders I never would have encountered otherwise. Becoming a volunteer organizer for your alumni association has the same effect — you stop being a passive member and start being someone people know.
Your network also has to show up online, not just in your contacts list. When people consistently see that you know what you're talking about, they start reaching out — for coaching, for consulting, for a second opinion. Platforms like Career Contessa let you formalize that as a mentor. And if you want to monetize your expertise more directly, services like Coleman Research and Third Bridge pay industry professionals to share insights. Worth knowing about.
Whatever you do, lead with giving. I've connected students with internship opportunities at friends' startups without taking anything in return — because I believe in paying it forward, and because the professional world is small. The people you help, the relationships you maintain, even just a "Happy Holidays" message or offering a hand when someone's stuck — those things come back around. Maybe not immediately, and maybe not from the person you helped. But they do.
© 2026 Rachel Hong · Accelerator Consulting