Source: Business Insider Article by Abigayle Peterson
At just 23 years old, Abigayle Peterson had already landed eight roles through strategic networking — internships and jobs alike — entirely through the power of networking. Her journey, shaped by her early life experiences and sharpened by strategic outreach, offers a practical roadmap for anyone seeking to grow their career without the traditional safety nets.
From securing three internship offers at Bank of America to becoming the first product manager at SeekOut, Abigayle carved her path by leaning into resourcefulness, empathy, and bold initiative. Here’s how she did it:
1. She Mastered Cold Outreach
Without the pedigree of a top computer science school to rely on, Abigayle knew she needed to take control of her career. She turned to free online communities like Rewriting the Code, proactively emailed professors for research opportunities, and consistently shared updates on LinkedIn.
Her method for cold outreach became a repeatable framework:
- Introduce yourself as the professional you aspire to be
- Keep the message brief — busy people don’t read essays
- End with a question that creates a win-win dynamic
While cold outreach is often seen as a numbers game, Abigayle proved that a strategic approach significantly improves results. Her consistent, intentional efforts helped her form real connections — and open career doors.
2. She Skipped School Fairs in Favor of Specialized Events
Instead of relying on traditional campus career fairs, she focused on where real hiring decisions happen: in-person industry events. She attended panels, mixers, fireside chats, and hackathons in cities like San Francisco and NYC, using platforms like Luma, Meetup, and LinkedIn to find high-value events.
One standout example: at a Harvard Women in Entrepreneurship fireside chat (in collaboration with the nonprofit Foundess), she connected with several clients actively seeking career coaching.
The key? She always introduced herself to speakers and mentioned her goals casually but clearly — a strategy that helped her and others land opportunities with minimal competition.
3. She Practiced the ‘Go-Giver’ Mindset
Abigayle didn’t just network to take — she led with value. She often reached out to people she admired to interview them for her own newsletter, podcast, or online community.
This tactic not only built strong professional relationships, it also:
- Boosted her personal brand
- Gave her resume-worthy experience
- Expanded her network exponentially
By offering others a platform, she created genuine connections that later turned into mentorships, job offers, and collaborations.
Today, Abigayle is a founding team member at Start Your Fashion Business Academy, where she helps women break free from 9-to-5 jobs and launch their own fashion ventures.
Her story is a testament to what’s possible when you take initiative, show up authentically, and lead with value. It’s not just networking — it’s strategic, purpose-driven relationship building.
Credit & Contact:
This article is based on original work by Abigayle Peterson, former product manager and founder.
Connect with her via LinkedIn or at abigayle@welcometothenetwork.xyz.
