Written by Jessica Woodyatt

Confessions of a

Former Networking Skeptic

A huge confession: I’m very shy and an overthinker. When I was younger, even something as simple as ordering food at a counter felt terrifying. My face would flush red, my palms would sweat, and my heart would race a million beats a minute. Talking to strangers and especially adults, was overwhelming.

Over time, I grew out of that fear in everyday situations, but the nerves never completely disappeared. Put me in front of career professionals, especially lawyers who seem to have everything together, and suddenly I’m right back at that counter. I feel a little awkward, anxious, and unsure what to say. Add to that my tiny social battery, and you can probably guess why I dreaded networking events.

So when people told me to ‘go to networking panels,’ I’d just nod politely and then avoid them entirely. But this year, something shifted. I’ve started to push past those fears, and I want to share my candid thoughts on how I’m learning to navigate this messy art of networking.

What I Tell Myself to Get There

When I try to up my enthusiasm to go to networking events through a positive lens, I tell myself:

  1. ‘You’ll learn something.’ Hearing different pathways into law is fascinating. It reminds me that there’s no one-size-fits-all.

  2. ‘Lawyers are just people.’ And many of them come to these events to share their stories. I love mentoring and supporting others too, so when I meet these lawyers who care about helping those coming after them, I see a bit of myself in them. Thinking like this helps to make talking to them less nerve wracking, and also reminds me how human they are beneath the formality.

  3. ‘Free headshots/resources.’ Sometimes the events offer professional headshots, career guides and even merchandise.

  4. ‘You’re investing in your future.’ Even if I paid $10 for a ticket and only got a lukewarm spring roll, I tell myself it’s a career expense.

  5. ‘Bring a friend.’ Whenever I convince someone to come with me, it’s 100% less scary.

  6. ‘Do it for the plot.’ If nothing else, it’s a story. Maybe a funny one. Maybe a boring one. But a story.

  7. Some other pros:

    1. ‘LinkedIn content!’ I don’t post all the time, but I remind myself that if I wanted to, I’d have plenty of things to share.

    2. ‘LinkedIn connections.’ In the same way, panels give me the chance to meet other students and speakers, and then connect with them on LinkedIn.

    3. ‘Free food.’ The food is never gourmet, but they can be a pretty good snack!

    4. ‘Get experience in networking for interviews.’ Even though firm interviews and networking rounds still feels like a distant concept to me, it never hurts to practice.

Occasionally, I light-heartedly scold myself into action by saying:

  1. ‘You’re only hurting yourself by skipping.’ A bit harsh, but in some ways true. If I miss out on clerkship tips or government pathways directly from the horse’s mouth, that’s on me.

  2. ‘Are you really scared to sit and listen to people talk?’ When I frame it like that, it feels a bit silly. After all, there is no mandatory rule in networking events that you must have talked and asked 10+ questions to each panellist and made 10+ new LinkedIn connections. Sometimes I give myself a break and simply listen to the panellists, absorbing what they say while other people ask the questions.

What I’ve Learned

Here are some brief snapshots of what I took away from the networking events I attended this semester that I wanted to share! They not only show how networking can be a powerful way to discover what’s out there and expand your understanding of the legal world, but can also genuinely be eye-opening and inspiring.

          1. Diplomatic Gala with the Monash International Affairs Society

I’ve always been curious about the intersection between international affairs and law, so this was truly a great experience to discover more about international law and policies. Even if you don’t know the tech, I learnt that cybersecurity law is something you could pursue and work in its policy space. Another exciting thing was that I got my first business card!

Biggest takeaway: There will always be people who put barriers in front of you - don’t do that to yourself (Emma Lawrence).

          2. Law Without Borders with The Global Lawyers

I think travelling is so exciting, so combining travel and law is something I’ve always wondered about. In this panel I learnt that you don’t HAVE to do commercial law to work overseas. Options are limited but it’s possible! That was a revelation. The event reinvigorated my passion for exploring new cultures and legal systems.

Biggest takeaway: There are always obstacles and reasons you tell yourself why you can’t study or work overseas. Ignore them. Just go for it! (Erin Grierson).

          3. Wellbeing & Career in Law Panel with A Reasonable Standard

I loved hearing honest takes on work-life balance and mental health. The panel offered unique insights in non-commercial areas of law as well as what life as a barrister is like! For someone who likes to know all the potential pathways and options my life can take in the future, it was genuinely very interesting. Two unexpected bonuses of attending was receiving a free Top 100 Graduate Employers Guide from Prosple, as well as my second business card.

Biggest takeaway: As a solicitor working in a law firm, until you’re senior enough to have clients, your ‘clients’ are the lawyers above you (Amir Bahrami).

My Strategy for Choosing Panels

  1. Timing matters. I live close to the city and have more free time this year, so I’m making the most of it. Even though I’m doing more networking events now, I won’t pressure myself to do more than I can handle with my workload next year.

  2. Pace yourself. I did zero panels in my first year and one in my second year. Now I’m slowly building up this year as a third year law student underloading my units this year.

  3. Find a train buddy. If it’s late, I know having someone from the event to walk to the train station with is always helpful at night.

  4. Daytime and online events are a win. Workshops hosted by the Law Ambassador Program or other Monash University hosted panels are great alternatives. Earlier this year, I went to an Australian Department of Defence Legal Information Session which was on campus and super engaging to hear about the work they do and their day-to-day lives. I also received a free microfibre cloth and a wonderful notebook (it’s actually the notebook I bring around to networking events).

  5. Be picky if it costs money. Don’t be afraid, DM the organisers! I did that for the Diplomatic Gala to understand more about the event ahead of time and really make sure the ticket was worth it.

My Survival Kit on the Day

  1. Notebook and water. I can’t remember anything unless I write it down. I also find having a notebook makes me more engaged and forces my brain to actively listen to the panellists even if I’m tired.

  2. Take a photo. For the memories, or LinkedIn (if I ever post).

  3. Manage my social battery.

    1. If low: I join a conversation circle and just listen. Some advice: choose wisely. Go to the one you care about most first because sometimes it’s tough to leave.

    2. If high: I ask questions! I try not to overthink my face or tone. I just ask.

  4. Here is my current strategy to enter/exit a conversation circle.

    1. Enter: ‘Hi! Mind if I join this conversation?’

    2. Exit: ‘Thank you so much for your insights. I found [insert topic] really interesting. Hope you enjoy the rest of the evening!’

  5. Not be scared to ask ‘silly’ questions. Everyone in the circle has, at some point, either not known the answer to a question, or wondered if what they wanted to ask was really ‘worth it’. But I try to remind myself the panellists are there for a reason. They want to talk to people. And if I’m ever uncertain, I just preface my question with, ‘This might be a silly question…’

Networking panels still make me nervous. I still catch myself rehearsing questions in my head. I still feel awkward at times. But my fear doesn’t have to win. I’m no networking expert, and I know I still have plenty to learn—but I’m trying. And with every panel I attend, I walk away with something new: a fresh perspective, an idea to think about, or at the very least, an experience worth sharing. And at the end of the day, I’m just proud I gave it a go.