The Practice of Ethical Networking in the Workplace

Proposal
Worden Barr, Stephen Acomb, Raymond Becerra

In today’s working society, networking has become an essential aspect of the job search.

In preparing for life in the workforce after college, it is important that students learn how to
practice ethical networking in the workplace. Networking, by itself, is the practice of establishing
and nurturing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with those you meet. In a time of
virtually boundaryless careers, with employees making frequent career moves and needing to
become well-informed quickly, networking is seen as a critical competency. In addition, studies
have shown that upwards of 85% of jobs are never actually advertised but are instead filled by
word of mouth, further emphasizing the importance of professional networking [1].

In general, as Domènec Melé explains, “we can consider three types of networking: Utilitarian
networking, which is made with the intention of obtaining benefits related to economic
advantages, obtaining power, safety or protection and so on..., Emotional networking, which is
motivated by positive feelings toward network relationships or the desire to have a pleasant
relationship with other actors within the network..., [and] Virtuous networking, the practice of
which includes a positive moral intentionality in the end pursued and means employed. It entails
willingness to respond to other peoples’ needs, or to make some positive contribution to a noble
cause through the network” [2]. Of these three forms of networking, it is important to stress the
significance of virtuous or ethical networking in particular, as acting sincerely and exercising a
positive influence in a network serves as a gateway to successful utilitarian and emotional
networking within that network, opening countless doors and opportunities in the future.

Career Services should host an information seminar to educate the students at RHIT.

Career Services at Rose-Hulman serves the student body well with their passion and persistence
for student success during and after Rose. As stated on their website: “We prepare and support
Rose‑Hulman’s outstanding students, and connect them to opportunities for post-graduate
employment, co-op experiences and summer internships” [3]. In addition to generating
connections to the employment world and in order to help prepare and support the students at
Rose, Career Services should educate students about ethical networking and its importance in the
workplace. Such an education could be effectively provided through an information seminar.

The seminar would consist of powerpoints created by Career Services describing the positive
effects of Ethical Networking and the proper way to Network in the workplace amongst
colleagues and supervisors. In an interview with Tyler Johnson (2016 Rose Graduate), Lead
Machine Engineer at WestRock Inc., the importance of having great Ethical Networking skills in
the workplace helps with inter-communication between Maintenance and the machine operators
to help alleviate problems more efficiently. In addition, Jim Petric with N-ASK Inc. expresses in
an interview the necessity of exercising a positive influence and sharing resources and
information for mutual benefit, as doing so also serves as a gateway to successful utilitarian and
emotional networking, whereas not doing so results in negative feelings and interactions towards
offending, unvirtuous individuals [4]. Not only does Networking allow for the workplace to run
more efficiently, it enables people to create relationships that will advance their career by
showing their commitment and initiative to succeed within the company.

The goal for the information seminar is to inform students about:

a) The importance of Ethical Networking in the Workplace
b) Beneficial Networking Sites (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter)
c) Who would be good to network with / how to select colleagues who would be good
members of your network.

a. Like the interviews with Tyler and Jim, the value of Networking is very much important to the
work environment. Networking platforms such as Facebook allow for people to connect in the
workplace by finding similarities between each other strengthening social ties. According to a
study done by Jonathan Grudin of Microsoft in A Longitudinal Study of Facebook, LinkedIn, &
Twitter Use, “Those who reported using the sites for work identified the creation and
strengthening of weak ties as a key benefit” [5]. These “weak ties” are mended through strong
social interaction and use of Networking leading to new friendships and success among each
other.

b. One of the many Social Networking Sites (SNS) known as LinkedIn, allow for their uses to
create a professional work profile for potential employers to review and contact users for
potential employment or career networking. Each student will be instructed to create a business
related networking site for his/her professional gain. However, one of the many concerns people
have is the actual benefits of using Linkedln: whether its useful or not. According to the article Is
LinkedIn making you more successful? The informational benefits derived from public social
media, by Sonja Utz, “[demonstrates] that LinkedIn has a strong professional focus that offers
little space for non-professional use” [6]. Unlike Facebook, LinkedIn creates a more professional
look for the user so employers can have a more formal introduction to a potential employee. Yet,
Facebook is more relaxed where you people can share certain interests that are non-work related
issues. The connection between potential employers and current colleagues is the professional
image as well as the personal connection made is the important idea to take away from this
seminar.
c. When someone Networks, the people they choose to connect with and try to gather
information from can be very helpful or a waste of time. Choosing the right person to connect
with is very time consuming and very much selective. When discussing with Jim Petric, the most
important question to ask yourself before trying to Network with someone is “Can this person
get me to the place I want or do they know someone who can get me where I want to go?”.
Another, more important, option is connecting your supervisor and maintaining a close
relationship with him/her. Another key element the seminar will touch on is the idea of “learning
the guys job above you” while you learn your own role. This element shows you as a candidate
who wants to progress higher in the company while at the same time showing the committedness
and determination to learn more.

Outcomes.

The ultimate goal for this seminar is to prepare students for the workplace and the opportunity to
better understand the importance of Ethical Networking. Job placement after graduation for
Rose-Hulman students is very important to career services because “As of November 30, 2018
the overall placement for the 2018 graduating class is 98%” [3]. Given the percentage of job
placement being so high for last year’s graduating seniors, we can safely assume this years job
placement percentage would be the same if not very close. By educating students on the
importance of Ethical Networking, students will be able to use their skills to the advantage of
better salary pay, advanced promotions, and business partnerships among their newly founded
jobs.

In conclusion, the knowledge learned and whether it is actually applied is up to the student. Not
only can you use Ethical Networking for new jobs but for intersnhips, co-ops, and career fairs.
The skills need to converse with potential employers is very important as well. In addition,
internships are great ways to secure future job offers to companies you already know and feel
comfortable working for them. The ability to show employers your commitment to the company
by Networking for better employment opportunities is important to your professional image
among your colleagues and supervisors. We as a STEM institute to should advocate for better
Ethical Networking within the workplace.

References

[1] L. Adler, “New Survey Reveals 85% of All Jobs are Filled Via Networking,” LinkedIn,
29-Feb-2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-survey-reveals
-85-all-jobs-filled-via-networking-lou-adler/. [Accessed: 29-Jul-2019].
[2] M. Domènec, “The Pracitce of Networking: An Ethical Approach,” Journal of Business
Ethics, vol. 90, pp. 487–503, 2009.
[3] Career Services & Employer Relations. [Online]. Available:
https://www.rose-hulman.edu/career-services/. [Accessed: 29-Jul-2019].
[4] Petric, J. (2019).

[5] Archambault, Anne, and Jonathan Grudin. “A Longitudinal Study of Facebook, Linkedin,
& Twitter Use.” Proceedings of the 2012 ACM Annual Conference on Human Factors in
Computing Systems - CHI '12, 2012, doi:10.1145/2207676.2208671.

[6] Utz, Sonja. “Is LinkedIn Making You More Successful? The Informational Benefits
Derived from Public Social Media.” New Media & Society, vol. 18, no. 11, 2016, pp.
2685–2702., doi:10.1177/1461444815604143.