PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Photo credit: © Adobe Stock- N Felix / peopleimages. com to send a personalized invitation. They know who you are and will( hopefully) accept your invitation. However, if you send a connection invitation to someone you don’ t know well( or at all) make sure to send a personalized message with your invitation. Sample connection invitation: Hello Sam, I am also an SFMA member who currently works on a college campus. I am looking to connect with more industry professionals in Texas, as I plan to relocate in the next year. Thank you for considering my request. Todd
VOLUNTEERING Look for volunteer opportunities related to your industry and other passions that aren’ t work related. For example, if a large event is being hosted at a field or facility, they are likely seeking volunteers to help with event preparation and execution. By volunteering, you can build your network while applying your professional skills and expertise. Alternatively, it could be just as beneficial to volunteer to coach a Little League team. This would allow you to give back to the community while meeting new people( parents, umpires, other coaches, etc.) and expanding your network.
Additional tips:
Keep an eye out for green spaces in your local area( a dog park, for example) that are maintained by non-profit organizations; they may greatly appreciate an industry expert volunteering to maintain their space.
Participating in volunteer activities that aren’ t related to your field of work can be very fulfilling and give you a bit of a break. Seek opportunities you will enjoy.
LINKEDIN Thanks to online tools such as LinkedIn, it is now easy and acceptable to reach out to people you may never meet in person. If you don’ t have a LinkedIn profile, consider creating one. If you already have one, make sure to update it regularly. An easy way to expand your LinkedIn network is to start by reaching out to people who are already part of your broader network. Next, aim to connect with people you have something in common with, such as your alma mater, work industry, or an organization membership.
If you send a connection invitation to your best friend, college roommate, significant other or cousin, you don’ t need
Additionally, join groups and follow organizations and company pages that interest you. Then start engaging with their content. This will help you build more connections while staying abreast of industry trends, research and best practices. You can find suggestions on who to follow via the“ My Network” section within your profile.
Additional tips:
Demonstrate your expertise by posting valuable content and engaging authentically with others.
Check your LinkedIn messages and connection requests regularly, and respond, as appropriate, in a timely manner( within one week, if possible).
Take your LinkedIn relationships offline. For example, if you are going to be in the city of one of your new connections, invite them to meet for coffee or ask to tour their facility.
Now that you have a few ideas on how to grow your network, think about what you can do to start imple-
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26 SportsField Management | August 2025 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com