Latest / Black Box Theory Podcast / Why Your Network Matters More Than You Think
Transcript
- Malcolm: or I I guess like a piece that I never really kind of forgot going from in HBCU to, you know, the next space after undergrads is like the the importance of having like community like around you, bro. Like it's like I think one thing about HBCU is like, bro, you're gonna have like You're gonna like real family, bro. Like you're gonna have real like whether it's like just, you know, just those in those four years, like I think being at at ANC or being at HBCU in general, like you're gonna meet some of you know, some of the people that are like your friends for the rest of your life, bro, whether it's through like, you know, from your classes and your major, whether it's through different clubs and organizations, whether it's through a fraternity or sorority, whether like it's it's like through SGA, like it's just so different like the football, like it's so many different ways that you can like build a network of people ⁓ who are kind of like like dear to and and and and like kind of authentic. I think like That still kinda stays the same. It may not be the same level of like ⁓ camaraderie or like intimacy on a in a corporate space, but it's like the importance of having that community and that network, like, you know, those people that can kind of like go to bat for you and and and advocate for you, you know, when you're not around and defend you when you're not in the same room is like just as important because it's like, you know, whether you're in post grad or whether you're in a corporate space, like you need people in your corner, ⁓ to lean on, to bounce ideas off of and to kind of like help you kind of like get to that get to that next level. So Jayson: Absolutely. Nah, you you hit that on the nail, I think ten thousand percent. Like you need those sponsors, like you need people who will be in those other rooms for you, advocating for you. And that's like one of the most important things. I've definitely learned that it's those connections that you have with other people. It's like, you know, more about like who you know than what you know. And I feel like being at my HBCU just taught me so much about that because trying to get into different places and things like that, it's all about that that word of mouth that you have from those peers that you know. So I would one thousand percent say that. And that goes into Malcolm: Yeah. Text. Yeah. Jayson: the industry I think a lot too. My my experiences have been so great because I feel like I've always had someone there who's been willing to support me ⁓ and pave the pathway for me to also like follow in their footsteps. So Malcolm: Mm-hmm. Nah, facts. Facts. ⁓ yeah, no. ⁓ Thomas, you got you got anything on this one? Thomas: ⁓ man, I I think I just spent my time in college for the most part trying to prepare for what came next. I mean, I I think I was just super aware, maybe too focused on being aware about what you know was waiting for us on the other side. ⁓ having seen the stuff before, like I I've said it before like previous episodes, but I didn't grow up 100% in Maryland, like in PG. You know, so a lot of people who grew up in places where, you know, it's it's Malcolm: Mm. Thomas: black people, like that's the thing where it's normal, right? Where that's just what you see every day and that's what it is. You know, they continue that at a HBCU, it feels normal. But for me and you know a lot of other people, it's like you've seen the other side, you've seen the different spaces you're in, you've seen the lack of understanding, the lack of awareness. ⁓ like even, you know, like the term black excellence, depending on how people say that and how they use that, that's that's kind of backhanded, right? So I think things that I had to Malcolm: Mm-hmm. Thomas: I learned at the HBC at the HBCU was trying to be self reliant in a space where I didn't have to be. Where it's like, okay, I know I gotta all I'm gonna have is me in the future. So it's like, can I get through this this college experience, relying on myself as much as possible, still having others around and having that support system, but just not being too reliant? I there was a lot of people in college and y'all you I'm sure y'all seen this where people were just relying on everyone else but themselves. Like Just they never did projects, they never did their own stuff. They just coasted. ⁓ then the real world, you can do that depending on what you do, but it's it's it's rough. Like you just gotta still have your support system, but it's a little more difficult to find depending on where you're at. So I think it kind of reinforced the learning of being self reliant, but also still making sure you have people that you, you know, you can like exist with, speak with. Otherwise, it's just like you just you just out there, just just floating. Malcolm: Yeah. Mm. Jayson: Yeah. Yeah. I definitely think there's a balance that you need to have. Like you need to be able to have that self discipline to kinda keep yourself going because at the end of the day you're gonna be on your own schedule, your own routine and things like that. You gotta make sure you stay consistent. And that's something I feel like I I be preaching a lot about staying consistent. Malcolm: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Jayson: Consistency is gonna get you you know, it's gonna help you grow, get you those places that you wanna go. ⁓ and for me I've been trying my best to keep editing my routines and everything's like that, just so I can keep pushing that consistency. And so I think it's definitely a mix of both, especially when you're around so many amazing people as well. It's just can you stay on your own in your own lane sometimes too and keep going. Malcolm: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. No, that's what's up, bro.