Professional Networking

---

As an immigrant New Yorker from a working class community, networking seemed impossible for Dr. Gunness, especailly when  other personality traits (such as ethnic identity, sexual minority issues, and insecurities) affected his professional development. 

Growing up, Dr. Gunness did not have the privilege of belonging to a wealthy educated family where access to resources and services were accessible. He had to fingue it out on his own while leaning on the shoulders of a few professors and mentors. Hence, why he believes that professional networking is critical to your growth and leadership in the industry. Networking enabled Dr. Gunness to learn, to grow, to make lasting friendships, and to create opportunities beyond his imagination. Netowrking can mean many things for many of us whether that is securing a job, learning about moving up the ladder, informational interviews, collaborating on a project or getting referred in the right direction. 

He wants you to experience success in your career as you define it.