Last year, you worked at a local art museum, helping organize their collection and giving tours to visitors.

去年，你在一個當地的藝術博物館工作，協助他們整理收藏品，並為參觀者導覽。

This year, it's going to be much more difficult. You want to work on an organic farm across the country in California.

今年，這將更加困難了。你想在國家另一端的加州的有機農場工作。

That's your real passion. Unfortunately, your friends' list of contacts doesn't include organic farmers.

那才是你真正的熱情所在。不幸的是，你沒有任何是有機農夫的朋友。

The same for your parents' group of friends. They want to help you, but they simply don't know of any internships in agriculture.

相同地，你父母的朋友中也沒有。他們想幫助你，但他們就是不知道有什麽農業相關的實習機會。

The school counselor, she just laughed.

問了學校顧問，她只是大笑。

To make your farming dreams come true, you're going to have to press beyond your strong ties, people like your family and closest friends, and try tapping into your weaker ties.

為了實現從事農業的夢想，你要抓緊你強健的人際網絡，像是親人和好朋友，且試著進入你較為薄弱的人際網絡之中。

Weak ties are a broader network, your friends of friends of friends.

薄弱的人際網絡是一個更廣泛的人脈，也就是你朋友的朋友的朋友。

They're important because they have access to resources that your strong ties don't have.

他們很重要，因為他們握有進入某些資源的管道，而你那些既有的人脈並沒有。

This works in both directions, by the way—you have access to resources that they don't have.

順便一提，這對雙方都有好處──你同時也有他們沒有的資源。

Let's say most people speak to three close friends on a regular basis.

這麼說好了，大多數人定期和三個好友聯絡。

Each time you reach beyond the next degree of contacts, you have access to three more people,

每次你往外一層去認識人，你就能再多認識三個人，

like a tree that branches out three times per node, so you can look beyond your closest circles.

這就像一棵樹在每個點長出三個分支，所以你可以從你最親密的圈子裡往外延伸。

During the last family get-together, didn't you hear that your aunt's friend studied lighting with a nature photographer on the West Coast?

在上次的家庭聚會中，你沒聽到你阿姨的朋友曾經和西海岸的自然攝影師學過打燈嗎？

In fact, you recall this because you saw a recent image by said photographer on the front cover of The New York Times.

事實上，你還記得，因為你最近看到那攝影師所拍的一張照片被刊登在紐約時報的封面。

So, you email him and learn that the photographer's wife's cousin publishes a sustainability magazine,

所以，你寫了封電子郵件給他然後得知，那攝影師妻子的表妹出版了一本有關永續的雜誌，

which employs a staff writer who pitches on a local baseball team with an umpire who,

那份刊物雇用了一個作家，這作家是當地的棒球隊投手，而那裁判是，

wait for it, is an organic farmer.

等等，他是個有機農夫。

Bingo!

賓果！

Get ready to trade in those cufflinks for some apple seeds, all because you reached out to your weak ties.

準備收穫人脈吧，這一切都因為你建立起那弱的人際網絡。

That's your key, remember? Every conversation is an opportunity.

記得嗎？這就是你的關鍵。每次對話都是個機會。

Moreover, don't wait for opportunity, make it happen.

此外，不要等待機會，要製造它！

Take Kathryn Minshew for example.

以凱薩琳•明斯為例。

She went from not knowing anyone at Yahoo to three warm introductions to major executives in 30 days.

她從一開始不認識任何在雅虎工作的人，到三十天後變成高級主管。

Here are her suggestions for three steps to networking.

以下是她對建立人脈的建議，有三個步驟：

One, always say yes to invitations, even if it's not clear what you'll get out of the meeting.

一、永遠接受邀請，即使你並不清楚在那次會面中會得到什麼。

Many of Kathryn's most productive relationships resulted from a meeting or call without a clear agenda.

許多凱薩琳最有收穫的關係，都來自於沒有明確議程的電話或會議。

Two, when you want something, broadcast it to everyone you meet.

二、想要什麽東西時， 讓每個你遇見的人知道。

That doesn't mean you beg everyone for help as soon as you meet them, but talk about what you're trying to do.

這並不是要你在一見到他們時便求他們幫助，而是談論你正在嘗試的事。

Be excited, ask for feedback, and try to get them excited, too.

保持欣喜、問問他們的意見、還有，讓他們也產生興趣。

Three, show up and often. Be at the forefront of other's minds when opportunities arise.

三、經常出現。當機會來臨時，讓其他人想到你。

You don't want to be that person who only shows up when he needs something.

你不想成為那種當需要什麽東西時才貿然出現的人吧。

Be the one that people think of and want to reach out to when a new opportunity presents itself.

而是，成為那個人們會想起的人， 並且成為那當一個新的機會出現時，人們會想聯繫的人。

So while networking may not be the most intuitive, or even for some of you introverts, the most comfortable skill,

所以說，雖然人脈不太可能很容易的建立起，或甚至對有些內向的人來說，不算是最舒適的技能，

it's a helpful tool to have as you think about getting a job, going to school, or most importantly, learning from others.

但它在你想找一份工作、想去一間學校讀書時都很有幫助，或最重要的，你可以從他人身上學習。

Good luck!

加油！