While taking a short course on social networking, I was surprised that it was not about social media but about the Strength of Weak Ties (Granovetter, 1973). Within this theory, a distinction is made between strong and weak ties. Strong ties are seen as connections with people in your direct network. In contrast, weak ties are seen as connections with acquaintances with whom you share a common factor but do not maintain intensive contacts. The Strength of Weak Ties assumes that maintaining contacts outside your own micro-network is important for obtaining opportunities, jobs or new ideas. In other words, it is not your immediate colleague, but rather that old fellow student who can give you access to a range of new ideas. Thus, maintaining such contacts allow you to step outside your own bubble to form new perspectives and insights. But how do you meet and keep in touch with people outside your bubble? Connecting with ESSB alumni on LinkedIn has proven very valuable to me.
Blog written by Loïs Gampierakis.
LinkedIn: it's like online dating, but for professionals
Adding fellow alumni on LinkedIn can feel like sending the first message on a dating app, especially if you don't know this person (yet) or hardly know them. What's a good opening line? Does this person find me interesting? How can I not come across as too pushy? Experience shows that asking about someone's work or experiences can be an excellent opening for a low-threshold connection, "thus a weak tie". So invite someone over for a - digital - cup of coffee and share your search for an expert with other alumni. Who knows what it will come out of that..
The power of an active alumni network
Fellow alumni can be the weak tie you need at that very moment. For example, in the context of a project for my work, I contacted Zina Burgers: an alumna of the bachelor of Pedagogical Sciences, whose research I came across by chance on the Internet. I was curious about her story and decided to send a message on LinkedIn. We both studied at ESSB lowered the threshold for contact; it created a sense of accessibility and trust. Zina responded enthusiastically, and less than a week later, I had the opportunity to question her about her research. I also came into contact with Irini Giallouris. I vaguely knew her from university and was intrigued by one of her posts on LinkedIn. Even though we both went in a different direction after our studies, there were similarities, and I could make good use of her expertise for my current work.
Enlarging the ESSB Alumni Network
I believe in the Strength of weak ties and therefore decided to be involved in the alumni board. At the moment, there is little interaction between alumni of the ESSB. I would like to see this change: by continuing to share knowledge with each other, we can grow together. I would like to get in touch with fellow alumni. What sparkling ideas do you have to boost our network? What is your need? What expertise are you looking for? I would love to hear about it!
Feel free to send me a message onLinkedIn.
Loïs interviewed Irini about her experiences at ESSB and her career. View the interview
- CV
Loïs Gampierakis is an alumna of the Pedagogical Sciences program. Educational innovation, equal opportunities and student well-being are important drivers in her working life. She currently works as a helpdesk and content officer at the School & Safety Foundation (Stichting School & Veiligheid). She is mainly working on the topics of social media & undermining.
- More information
Granovetter, M. S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. American journal of sociology, 78(6), 1360-1380.