When beginning your professional networking  journey, I think it’s vitally important that you remember that networking is about building lasting relationships. And just like any relationship, it takes time. So, like the farmer does, put the seed in the soil and patiently trust the process. Even when you don’t see what is happening beneath the surface. Keep cultivating, keep watering and it will grow. 

The primary hallmark of a great in-person networking event is facilitated, purpose-driven interaction (e.g., speed networking, curated matchmaking, or structured icebreakers). This shifts the pressure off of you to organically break into cliquey conversations and ensures you actually meet people aligned with your specific goals.