A professional network has always been a critical part of building a career. This is even more true now in a time of AI, automated job postings, breaking through non-human resume screening, and the fact the ‘boys club’ is still going strong.
As women we need to be smart about building networks that work for us. This ultimately means using all the tools at hand including those skilled amassed through sports. Athletes are uniquely positioned to stretch our skills beyond training and racing, and into our career journeys to build a modern professional network.
Self-Awareness First, The Network Will Follow
Before we get started, a reminder to all that self-awareness matters. Whether you’re eyeing new career horizons after graduating from collegiate sport, or leveling up your career journey, knowing what drives you, or what is your ‘why’, is the ultimate game-changer in building a network that’s as genuine as it gets.
This awareness means never stop learning about yourself, what drives you, and articulating your values; knowing yourself first is the key to learning what is acceptable or not in your career.
Now that’s said, let’s kick off this journey to building a network!
Building a professional network is about creating a strategy that aligns with who you are and where you aspire to be in your career journey. Just like racing, success in building a professional network doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a blend of preparation, execution, and embracing the process. And remember networking is a two way street. We learn as much from our fellow athletes as they learn from us. Our career paths are no different.
With that in mind, here are five tips to help you take the mindset you’ve already developed as an athlete and apply it to building a professional network that’s both authentic and impactful.
Five Tips for Career Networking
1.Set Clear Goals and Objectives
As an athlete you don’t train without knowing what you’re working toward—whether it’s completing your first sprint or shaving minutes off your Ironman PR. The same principle applies to networking. Start with a clear vision: what do you want to achieve?
Are you looking for a mentor? Exploring new opportunities in your field? Or maybe seeking to expand your circle with people who inspire and challenge you? Write your goals down and make them specific. For example: “I want to connect with three senior leaders in my industry by the end of the quarter.” Just like in training, specific goals make progress easier to track and celebrate.
2. Establish a Sustainable Approach and Routine
Consistency wins the race—literally and figuratively. Networking doesn’t need to be a sprint where you burn out after a few intense efforts. Instead, think of it like your base training or pacing on race day: steady, manageable, and repeatable.
Set aside a regular time each week for networking activities, whether it’s reaching out to old sport connections, asking for a new connection in your industry, research to attend a local event, or simply commenting on LinkedIn posts. It’s about creating habits that fit into your existing routine. Start small, but stay consistent—because athletes know the magic happens when effort compounds over time.
3. Get Creative In Your Connections
While it’s natural to connect with people who are experienced in your chosen career, don’t forget to stay connected and build connections with those who share your passion and background in sport. Don’t limit yourself to just the professional community. Some of the best insights come from outside perspectives. Be purposeful about keeping in touch with coaches, athletes you admired, competitors even, who inspired you. Many of my best career guidance has come from my athlete peers who all followed radically different careers. We shared advice during and after long training rides, on management philosophies, career progression, challenges, and opportunities. This became one of my most valued groups and was the basis for creating the Poppy Sports community.
Be intentional about diversifying your network. Seek out people in your industry, those in complementary fields, and especially individuals whose work inspires you. The more varied your connections, the richer your network becomes—think of it like strength-training for your career.
4. Use Tools and Resources
Think of networking tools like the gadgets in your sports bag: they’re only effective if you use them wisely.
- LinkedIn: Make sure your profile is up to date and represents where you are today (not where you were three jobs ago). Use it to share your insights, celebrate others’ accomplishments, and engage with the professional community.
- Professional Events: Whether virtual or in-person, events are a great way to meet people with shared interests. Look for conferences, workshops, or networking meetups in your field.
- Athlete Communities: Use your sports connections as a starting point. Clubs, races, and online groups can lead to surprising professional opportunities. One of my personal favorites is LaunchBreak – a networking platform specifically for women who play/ed collegiate sports and are ready to network professionally
Approach these tools with an open mind; think of them as a power meter for your career—you’ll get more out of them when you pay attention and engage.
5. Cultivate a Supportive Peer Group
Even non-team sports like triathlon aren’t truly solo. Behind every PR or successful race is a support system of training partners, coaches, and supporters. Your professional journey should be no different.
Seek out people who genuinely root for your success—mentors, colleagues, or peers who share your values and push you to grow.
If you can find an accountability partner to check in with regularly, even better. This could be a training partner, a relative, a friend, or a professional colleague. The goal of an accountability partner is to keep yourself on track; these are the people who will celebrate your wins and listen as you troubleshoot your challenges.
Consider @poppysports as part of your network, and connect with me on LinkedIn. This is what the Poppy Sports platform is about; being a place where you can engage and learn how to apply the skills you have as an athlete to every facet of your career journey. We’re here to help you bloom!
Final Thoughts
Building a professional network takes time, strategy, and persistence—qualities you already have as an athlete. It’s not about having the biggest LinkedIn connections list or attending every event; it’s about fostering meaningful relationships that align with your goals and values.
So, as you map out your career ambitions, remember: you’re not starting from scratch. You already have the tools, mindset, and determination to succeed. Networking is just another arena where you can thrive—one deliberate connection at a time.
You’ve mastered training and racing and pushing yourself out of the comfort zone. Take that mindset and do the same professionally.
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