Much better careers advice is available these days than when a much younger Obiter first struck out into the world of work. And there is a lot of talk these days about networking and the power of your network. Perhaps surprisingly these can even be attended to outside the confines of LinkedIn and professional associations. This was made clear to law students at London South Bank University last week at an event organised with the South London Law Society.
Speaker Shaheen Mamun, immigration lawyer and founder of law firm Black Antelope Law, recalled that as a London kid, he and friends used to torment the security guard at a local shopping centre with their antics. Older and wiser, and headed for a career in law, Shaheen recognised the security guard, still in the same job, and approached him to apologise. Chatting, he and Adama Barrow found they got on, and for a while regularly exchanged messages.
Years passed, then the news related that Gambia (pictured) had a new president with a very familiar name. ‘I got back in touch with him,’ Shaheen says. ‘I said, “Have you just been elected president of Gambia?”.’ Yes, I have, came the friendly reply.
To which Obiter says, if by chance you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch, get down to your local shopping centre ASAP and start networking.
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