By Kimmi Sterner, 2014–2015 NIRSA Student Leader

With the Annual Conference coming up, you’re most likely registered, have your hotel rooms booked (hopefully!), and are busy preparing your schedule. In between all of the planning, it’s important to remember that one of the biggest aspects of our conference is building relationships. The people you meet will all have experiences completely different from yours, and the knowledge, wisdom, and opportunities you will gain are priceless.

You’ll come across people that might have some sort of higher status in NIRSA, and maybe that will intimidate you. Just remember that the reason they worked so hard to receive their title is the same reason you are even attending the conference: passion. These professionals are dedicated to serving the organization and its members. They look forward to meeting new students who are looking for ways to get more involved and hoping to find new opportunities.

That being said, make sure you create relationships for the right reasons. Stan Shingles, incoming NIRSA President, gave me the best advice I have ever received: “It’s not what you know, it’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.”

This piece of advice was part of a presentation he and I gave about building authentic professional relationships. It’s very rare to be in the same vicinity as so many people who understand where your passion resides. So when approaching these new networking opportunities, make sure that the only thing you are expecting to gain is another insight or outlook. Try not to expect a new professional relationship to automatically result in a new opportunity. Be genuine, be kind, and watch the rest naturally come to fruition.

The church I go to here in Oxford started a new sermon series addressing relationships. The pastor told a story about how when he sat down with a group of older, single members they said that their biggest fear with being single was that they would not have anyone to take care of them when they got sick or to help them financially if things took a turn for the worst.

This concerned me. In fact, it kind of made me a little angry. It is such a privilege to have other people in our lives. Relationships are a privilege that every single one of us is entitled to; however, when we add expectations to those relationships, we set ourselves up for the possibility of being disappointed.

We all need to be happy, to take care of ourselves, and to work toward our own dreams. If we happen to have someone with us along the way to share in our happiness and accomplishments, then that’s even better! But don’t ever enter a situation expecting someone to do something for you or to fill a part of your life that you have not quite figured out how to fill on your own.

The same rule applies when it comes to networking in our profession. Go into every situation knowing how incredibly amazing you are and how you are happy, lucky, and content with who and where you are. Be excited to offer your time and talents to others, but don’t necessarily expect them to do the same. They most likely will actually, and then BAM! You have a new connection.

Go out there and share your story, take chances to meet people you may find intimidating, and remember that you have been granted your time at the conference for a reason. Show your fellow Annual Conference attendees that reason. Enrich a life or two just as others have already done so for you.

Don’t forget that if you have any questions or if you need anything, you can contact your Student Leadership Team! We know how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to create relationships with other students and we’d love to hear from you—even if it’s just an introductory email! We’ll be available throughout the whole conference at the Student Lounge where we will have activities and events that will provide you with an experience you’ll never forget!