Networking has always been important, but in 2026 we are going to see that networking will give you a lot of leverage, not only in your career, but in life in general. And networking doesn’t only mean cold DMing people on LinkedIn, it also means: 1️⃣ attending events or conferences 2️⃣ going to meetups 3️⃣ placing yourself in rooms where you can be seen 4️⃣ engaging with people’s posts on LinkedIn or other platforms When DMing people on LinkedIn, it’s important you add a personal touch and clarify what you want to chat about to stand out in a sea of messages. Here are some templates 👉 Hi [Name], I came across your profile while learning more about [field/role], and I was especially interested in how you moved from [X] to [Y]. I’m early in my career and exploring how people make those kinds of transitions. If you’re open to it, I’d love to grab a quick 15–30 min virtual coffee and hear about your experience. 👉 Hi [Name], I noticed we both studied [school/major] and ended up in [fi...