Hidden Currency

When you’re a college kid talking to adults, it can feel like there’s an imbalance.

They’re giving you their time, advice, and answers to questions, and you’re… there. Listening intently and hoping they don’t know you’re hungover.

When I started reaching out to people, I felt like I was taking more than I was giving.

I brought this up to Jennifer Jones, the director of the Economics Career Office at UVA. She had a very Econ answer.

“The currency that’s visible to you”, she said, “is advice, knowledge, and guidance. And since you may not have advice or guidance to give them, it can feel unbalanced.”

“What you have to realize though, is that you’re exchanging different currencies.”

“To them, you’re giving the opportunity to be a mentor. The currency they get is helping someone else, and in this case, it’s you.”

Other people I’ve spoken to have similar thoughts:

“When someone agrees to get on the phone with you, there’s a part of them that likes helping others.” - Julia Sanabria

“There’s a feeling in your heart when you help somebody. It makes you feel good – it's the gift that keeps on giving.” - Ryan Odom

Insights like these help me think of “networking” as less of a zero sum game. 

A coffee chat isn’t just a chance to ask questions. It’s the first step in building a relationship. And possibly gaining a mentor.