Every day, thousands of people refresh job boards hoping to find the next opportunity.
There's nothing wrong with that.
But many of the best opportunities in college athletics never begin with a job posting.
They begin with a conversation.
A simple email.
A LinkedIn message.
A coffee meeting.
An introduction made at a convention.
Before there was an opening, there was a relationship.
Relationships Are Built Before They're Needed
One lesson I've learned throughout my career is this:
Don't wait until you need something to introduce yourself.
Too often, we only reach out when we're looking for a job, asking for a recommendation, or hoping someone can open a door.
Imagine if we reversed that thinking.
What if we introduced ourselves simply because we admired someone's work?
What if we wanted to learn instead of immediately asking for something?
That approach changes everything.
People remember those who are genuinely curious.
They remember those who celebrate others.
They remember those who consistently add value to conversations.
Continue Reading → Part 2: How to Write an Introduction Email People Actually Want to Answer
Finding opportunities before they're advertised is only half the equation. Once you've identified someone you'd like to connect with, what do you actually say?
In Part 2, I'll walk through the simple framework I use to write introduction emails that feel genuine, respect the recipient's time, and start conversations that can lead to meaningful professional relationships.
Because opening the right door matters—but knowing how to knock matters just as much.
Be Interested Before Trying to Be Interesting
One of the easiest ways to stand out is also one of the least practiced.
Ask questions.
Listen.
Learn.
People enjoy talking about the work they care about. Give them that opportunity.
Instead of thinking about how to impress someone, think about how to understand them.
Curiosity builds trust much faster than self-promotion.
The Long Game
Networking has earned a bad reputation because too many people treat it like a transaction.
Real relationships don't work that way.
They grow over time.
They develop through consistency.
They become stronger because both people invest in one another without keeping score.
Some conversations lead to opportunities.
Others simply make you better.
Both are worthwhile.
Your Challenge
This week, reach out to one person whose work you admire.
Don't ask for a job.
Don't ask for a favor.
Simply introduce yourself and learn.
You may be surprised where one conversation leads.
Final Thought
The next chapter of your career may not begin with an application.
It may begin with an introduction.
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