Everyone needs a network-- a collection of people who can help them be successful. Whether you call it a network or not, you most likely have one. Think about past teachers, family members, counselors, current school community, and maybe even co-workers if you have a job. It is important to build positive relationships with others in order to build your network. This comes from our interactions, both formal and informal. Our choices during these interactions will either grow or lessen our network. Let's explore this further below. 

When we have our network of people, we can go to them for support when we need help. You can think about the types of needs you have and who within your network would be best to seek help from. For example, you might need help writing a resume. Who would you request support from? And once the issue is resolved, we express gratitude to that person/people in our network. 

There is one area that can help build our network or weaken it- the digital world. Places like social media can be a great place to build positive relationships or a place for you to demonstrate professional dispositions/share your work. 

It can also be a recipe for disaster. There have been plenty of examples where people have landed themselves in trouble with their work or even the law because of their social media choices. It is important to know how our ever-growing digital world can impact you and your future.