A support network refers to a group of people that you can turn to for encouragement, support and advice. A good support network will be there for you during both the good times and bad times, to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
Can you think of any examples of people that could make up a support network? It could be your family, friends, colleagues, professionals such as therapists or your school pastoral leader.
The people in your support network will often be the first port of call when you face a big challenge or have an important decision to make. It’s therefore important to have a diverse mix of people in your network so that you can benefit from different points of view and ensure you do not over-rely on one person for help.
Remember, support is a two-way street. You should always take time to ask your support network about their lives and their careers, as well as share your skills and insight with them when they reach out for support.
Building and maintaining these relationships requires time and effort. It is therefore important to use your support network properly to ensure you enjoy the benefits of strong, lasting connections with the people in your life.
Here are some ideas about different groups you could have within your support network:
Family
Consider people in your family that you are particularly close to, and who you know are willing to offer their time and advice. Family members are often more willing to help support you with a broad range of issues, tackle the smallest or biggest of challenges with you and even go that extra mile when you need them to.
Friends
Often described as the ‘family you choose’, your friends can know you better than you know yourself, seeing both your strengths and weaknesses. They are well placed to give open, honest advice and talk through the sensitive issues that you may feel uncomfortable discussing with family members or strangers. It is important to be there equally for your friends when they need support and learn from one another’s shared experiences.
Colleagues
People you work or study with can be a great source of help with both work-related and non-work-related issues. They are particularly well-placed to support decisions about your career and give constructive feedback on your thoughts and ideas. You can sometimes find formal networks within the organisation you work for that can offer support focused on your professional development. This is also a great way to meet like-minded professionals.
Friends of friends
If your existing network isn’t able to help, it’s perfectly fine to ask if they know of, or can put you in touch with, someone they know who could help. Don’t be afraid to reach out to this person once they’ve agreed to be introduced. They will probably be expecting your call or email and are likely to be responsive knowing that you share a common friend. So, don’t keep them waiting!
Meet the M&G Team
Being a part of an employee network can help you build your visibility in an organisaiton or sector at the start of your career. Play the video to hear from Rathi Ravi, Senior Business Analyst at M&G, about her experience using employee networks to build her career.
Online communities
The internet and social media provide plenty of opportunities for support. No matter how niche or complex your problem, there is likely to be an existing group, community or forum that will be able to help. And, if not, it has never been easier to create your own group and ask your questions. You are most likely to get a quick reply from a diverse range of people, allowing you to benefit from different perspectives and experiences.
Find out more about building your online network here.
Local community
Becoming an active member of your local community is a great way to meet new people and build connections. There may be a formal way to meet local people - perhaps a community group, sport club or volunteering - or a more relaxed way.
So, what now?
The activities below have all been designed to help you get fully ready to take your next steps - whatever pathway you choose to take. Each set of activities ranges from a short activity which should take no more than 30 minutes, through to portfolio activities, which are longer, project-based tasks. The more time you spend on each activity, the more you'll get out of it, but you should be able to find something each week to fit into your schedule.
Why not start with the short activity first and then work your way through the remaining activities until you’ve completed them all?
Short activity
Can you think of any examples of people that could make up a support network?
It could be your family, friends, colleagues, professionals such as therapists or your school pastoral leader.
- Next to each person, write down the different support they can offer and an example of a time when you would reach out to them for support.
Main activity
Think about a hobby or interest that is important to you.
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Find out if there is an existing online group, community or forum that you can join. It doesn't matter how niche your interest is, there's bound to be something out there. And, if not, why not find a platform to create your own group and invite people to join?
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Next, write down three things that you want to gain from being a member and set realistic deadlines for when you want to achieve them by. For example, you may want to join a digital platform that connects students with business professionals. In the short term, your aim is to establish a mentor relationship.
Portfolio
Create a 'support net' to help you in challenging times.
- This should have a real-life situation/problem at its centre and a web around it of the people that you can go to in that situation.
The more nets you create, the more prepared you will be should the issue arise in the future.
You may also want to look at the ways you can become someone else’s support net. For example, is there a volunteer role which would mean you can help someone in that challenging situation.
PSHE lesson
Provide students with a fictional scenario in which someone is in need of support.
For example, a sixth form student is keen to gain a part-time job to gain valuable work experience and some financial support during their studies. They have applied for a few roles online but have not heard back on their application.
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Then, ask the students to work in pairs or groups to create a directory/contact list of people and organisations they could turn to in that situation, as well as explaining why.
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If time permits, ask students to then rank the contacts in order of importance/priority. Challenge their decision by asking them why they would go to that person/organisation first over others?
This will encourage students to explain their thought process and think about who is best placed to help in different circumstances.