"A professional network service (or, in an Internet context, simply a professional network) is a type of social network service that focuses on interactions and relationships for business opportunities and career growth, with less emphasis on activities in personal life."
Building relationships with professionals in your field of interest.
Network architecture: The study of the design and structure of computer networks, including network topology, protocols, and security.
Network hardware: The study of the physical components of a network, including routers, switches, modems, and cables.
Network protocols: The study of the rules and procedures that govern communication in a network, including TCP/IP, FTP, HTTP, and SMTP.
Network security: The study of measures taken to secure a network from unauthorized access or attack, including firewalls, intrusion detection, and encryption.
LAN/WAN: The study of local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), including their purpose, configuration, and troubleshooting.
Network management: The study of how to manage and maintain a network, including monitoring, troubleshooting, and upgrading.
Network virtualization: The study of how to create virtual networks using software, including virtual switches, virtual routers, and virtual firewalls.
Cloud Networking: The study of networking technology used in cloud computing, including public, private, and hybrid cloud networking.
Network convergence: The study of the integration of voice, data, and video services onto a single network, including VoIP, video conferencing, and unified communications.
Internet of Things (IoT): The study of networking technology that allows devices to communicate with each other without human interaction, including sensors, actuators, and smart home devices.
Professional networking: Building relationships with individuals in your industry, profession or job function.
Social networking: Connecting with people personally on social media platforms.
Informational interviews: Talking to professionals in your field for valuable advice and information.
Mentorship: Engaging in a formal or informal relationship with someone more experienced in your field.
Professional associations: Belonging to a group that represents your profession.
Alumni networks: Connecting with former classmates and colleagues from educational institutions.
Industry events: Attending conferences, trade shows, and other events where you can meet professionals in your field.
Conferences and workshops: Attending events to learn, network, and better your skills and knowledge.
Continuing education: Taking courses or attending seminars to improve your knowledge in your field.
Online learning: Taking courses, webinars, or other forms of online education to advance your career.
Professional development programs: Joining an organization that offers mentoring, training, and skill-building opportunities.
Personal branding: Developing and marketing your personal strengths and attributes to advance your career.
Co-working spaces: Working in a collaborative space where you can connect with other professionals.
Volunteering: Working with your community on projects and initiatives that allow you to strengthen your skills and make connections.
"A professional network service is used by working individuals, job-seekers, and businesses to establish and maintain professional contacts."
"[...] to find work or hire employees, share professional achievements, sell or promote services, and stay up-to-date with industry news and trends."
"[...] to re-address their use of social networks and begin to reap as many rewards from networking professionally as they do personally."
"Businesses mostly depend on resources and information outside the company."
"Networkers need to continue to add new contacts to their network to access as many resources as possible."
"[...] to maintain their network by staying in touch with their contacts."
"This is so that the contacts are easy to activate when the networker has work that needs to be done."
"By using a professional network service, businesses can keep all of their networks up-to-date, and in order, and helps figure out the best way to efficiently get in touch with each of them."
"Not all professional network services are online sites that help promote a business."
"Some services connect the user to other services that help promote the business other than online sites, such as phone/Internet companies that provide services and companies that specifically are designed to do all of the promoting, online, and in person, for a business."
"A service that can do all that helps relieve some of the stress when trying to get things done."
"[It] focuses on interactions and relationships for business opportunities and career growth, with less emphasis on activities in personal life."
"[T]his is a call to action for professionals to re-address their use of social networks and begin to reap as many rewards from networking professionally as they do personally."
"[...] building a network, maintaining the network, and activating selected contacts."
"To maintain their network by staying in touch with their contacts."
"By using a professional network service, businesses can keep all of their networks up-to-date, and in order."
"[...] to get what they need, they need to reach out and professionally network with others, such as employees or clients as well as potential opportunities."
"[...] share professional achievements, to sell or promote services."
"[...] to stay up-to-date with industry news and trends."