Comments on: African Immigrants Must Network! http://grandioseparlor.com/2006/11/african-immigrants-must-network/ Cogitations on sociopolitical and economic issues focusing on Nigeria & Africa Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:16:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: imnakoya http://grandioseparlor.com/2006/11/african-immigrants-must-network/#comment-179 imnakoya Mon, 06 Nov 2006 04:12:11 +0000 http://grandioseparlor.com/2006/11/african-immigrants-must-network/#comment-179 I agree, networking doesn't come easy. However, to survive and get ahead in the ever complicated and diverse society we live in America, it is important, if not mandatory, to expand ones social and professional circle. Many colleges and universities have some form of minority/people of color association. I know for a fact several of these schools in Minnesota have one having been through one myself. I agree, networking doesn’t come easy. However, to survive and get ahead in the ever complicated and diverse society we live in America, it is important, if not mandatory, to expand ones social and professional circle.

Many colleges and universities have some form of minority/people of color association. I know for a fact several of these schools in Minnesota have one having been through one myself.

]]> By: John Powers http://grandioseparlor.com/2006/11/african-immigrants-must-network/#comment-166 John Powers Sun, 05 Nov 2006 04:49:11 +0000 http://grandioseparlor.com/2006/11/african-immigrants-must-network/#comment-166 Networking is hard to do. As a white American never having been to any African country, I've hardly any business commenting. Something that always amazes me when I talk to white American friends about African issues is how often they tell me: "Check out Black American organizations." It just seems odd how connections with Black American organizations and African organizations are assumed. I live near a smaller city, Pittsburgh, so maybe it's easier to see how Africans contribute here in a smaller pond. But I also have heard the frustrations of Africans living here over the lack of extended networks. One suggestion, for what it's worth, is connecting to or helping to start African Student Associations at local universities. Student organizations tend to be quite diverse. Sure, students move on, but the connections made can be long lasting. In any case African student organizations are good networks to cultivate. Networking is hard to do. As a white American never having been to any African country, I’ve hardly any business commenting. Something that always amazes me when I talk to white American friends about African issues is how often they tell me: “Check out Black American organizations.” It just seems odd how connections with Black American organizations and African organizations are assumed.

I live near a smaller city, Pittsburgh, so maybe it’s easier to see how Africans contribute here in a smaller pond. But I also have heard the frustrations of Africans living here over the lack of extended networks.

One suggestion, for what it’s worth, is connecting to or helping to start African Student Associations at local universities. Student organizations tend to be quite diverse. Sure, students move on, but the connections made can be long lasting. In any case African student organizations are good networks to cultivate.

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