Happy Monday, moms! Let’s drink our coffee and start checking things off of the to-do list this week.

As a career services professional, I’m often thinking about how I can practice what I preach. I know “networking” feels very scary – in fact, terrifying – to a lot of people, and moms are not exempt from those fears. Remember that networking is really just meeting new colleagues (perhaps who work with an employer you may be interested in, or in your industry generally) and building your professional network and relationships. With a job and parenting responsibilities, it may feel as though you have no time to spend at after-hours networking events or early morning breakfast meetings.

If you’re juggling motherhood and a career and wondering where networking fits in to your schedule, here are some ideas:

• Identify your niche or goal, and use social media (hashtags, topics, LinkedIn, etc.) to find connections.
• Find local “career moms” or “working moms” facebook groups and join (if you can’t find one, start one!)
• Find a local in-person group of working moms – LeanIn.org, Rising Tide Society, or something within your profession/field of interest.
• Don’t be afraid to chat with moms during school drop-off! You never know where those conversations may lead. Remember it’s often not what you know, but who you know!

I challenge you to try one of these tips today, and I’d love to hear how it goes!