People all across the country, football fans or not, have heard about Penn State football. They have heard about the history behind "Linebacker U", incessant tailgating, the legend that is Joe Paterno (known to most of us as JoePa), and how once you have experienced a game in Beaver Stadium nothing else could ever come close. Since my first game as a freshman to my most recent experience this season, the excitement has never diminished. Rival players and coaches, even broadcasters, marvel at the intensity among the 110,00 fans - often commenting on how a home game against the Nittany Lions is made even more intimidating as a result of the fans! That feeling is not forced, it is genuine! It is the kind of feeling that comes from a bond connecting over half a million people worldwide. On gameday everyone is united.
The experience felt among students and alumni is not limited to gamedays; Penn Staters look out for each other and are always willing to lend a helping hand. With such a large number of allies in your personal and professional life how could you ever go wrong? The trick is how to best capitalize on that support system. Alumni are usually willing to make introductions or help set-up job interviews; offer advice on business decisions; or even better, present a job offer to a fellow alum. You're probably thinking, "I don't have to be a Penn State alumni to experience all of those things. I can accomplish that on my own." You're right, you can, but the question is do you? Penn Staters did not invent any of this, they just unconsciously live it! Without even thinking, we set-up groups of friends or business associates initially based upon our experiences at Penn State, but then build on those relationships over the coming years as a way enriching our lives.
Do you have a tight circle of friends or business associates to whom you can turn for advice?
Have you taken the time to build a referral network with whom you can share work and help each others businesses grow?
Do you have strong allies that will provide support during crazy economic times like we are currently experiencing?
Although there are quite a few included, my network does not consist solely of fellow Penn Staters - and when it does we certainly discuss more than how well the football team played over the previous weekend. With those people I meet who did not attend the same college, I have built relationships based upon other similar interests or experiences. Building a strong network is never easy but definitely worth the effort.
That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?
