In honor of Duke’s Centennial anniversary, the Department of Sociology recently hosted a panel discussion bringing together a powerhouse lineup of experts from various industries, each offering their unique perspectives on career growth and networking.
The panelists were all alumni of the department: Randy Garcia, Senior Leadership Giving Officer at Duke; Keith Gill, Commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference; Kristi Jacobson, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker; and Aminah Thompson, Clerk of Superior Court for Durham County.
The event, filled with candid conversations and practical tips, provided valuable insights for students on how to make real connections, stay true to themselves, and embrace failure as part of the journey to success.
Beyond LinkedIn: Building Genuine Relationships
Gill opened the conversation with a message on the importance of human connections: “Networking is not just about collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections; it’s about building bridges with people who understand your values, share your vision, and can grow with you in your journey.”
Thompson agreed, “It’s not just about who you know,” she said. “it's about who knows you and believes in you." She also stressed that networking isn’t just about climbing the ladder. "It’s about finding people who will push you, support you and hold you accountable to your best self," she said. “Listen more, speak with intention and stay engaged. These are the things that will make you memorable and build lasting professional relationships.”
She encouraged students to begin exploring career options and networking as soon as possible. "It’s never too early to build relationships and gain experience,” Thompson said.
Authenticity is Non-Negotiable
Jacobson added an important element to the recipe for authentic connections, especially in competitive fields like entertainment: "You have to bring your whole self to the table," she said. "People can tell when you're genuine, and that's when they connect with you.” Her perspective was refreshing to students trying to balance personal and professional identities, career planning and the pressures of fitting in.
“I used to think I had to fit a mold to succeed, but the reality is, success came when I fully embraced who I was — imperfections and all,” Jacobson shared. “Don’t be afraid to show up as your full, authentic self. The world needs you, not a perfect version of you.”
Embrace the F Word — Failure
But what if authenticity leads to failure? Gill shared his own experiences with academic struggles, admitting that his journey wasn’t always smooth. “The lessons I learned from failure were the ones that shaped me the most,” he said. “It’s not about avoiding failure — it’s about learning how to get back up, stronger, every time.” Inspiring students to view setbacks as learning opportunities, Gill and the other panelists stressed that resilience — built through failure — is a critical component of success.
Leveraging Duke’s Network
Garcia wrapped up the session with a reminder that Duke’s alumni network is an invaluable resource for students to make meaningful connections, no matter their career aspirations. “Duke alumni are in every industry, every corner of the world,” he said. “We’re here, we want to help, and you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out. That’s what the Duke network is all about — mutual support.”
Garcia left students with a piece of advice for navigating their futures: “Start conversations, even if you’re unsure where they might lead. You never know which door will open.”
The question now is — are you ready to put these insights into action?
