How do you network?

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Honest question: How exactly does one go about networking for jobs? I've been told I should do it more. I have kind of a long story, so please bear with me.

I'm currently working a year-long internship doing data analysis, but I don't want to do data/computer work for the rest of my life. I have degrees in music, urban planning, and computer science. The only one of those that ever really interested me was urban planning, but I have serious qualms with the field, and I don't want to do white-collar office work for the rest of my life. I'd rather find a blue-collar job that can keep me physically engaged. After I finished all my degrees, I was an over-the-road trucker for a year and a half, but my self-doubt and OCD eventually snowballed into nervous breakdowns that warranted psychiatric treatment. I went on meds that disqualified me from passing the DOT physical, but I'm currently changing them to ones that shouldn't disqualify me.

Regarding job networking, here is what I'm trying to figure out. I'm on LinkedIn, and I just made a profile on JobCase, but I'm not sure if I know anyone on the latter site. I'm not looking for a job until June, which will be the end of my internship term. I'd like to find something closer to my trucking job, but I need to pass the DOT physical first. I've been told I could be a good fit for public works jobs--something in the area of road maintenance, construction, and/or paving, etc., but I haven't yet found any leads on such positions that might be opening up next summer. I'd be interested in trying anything related to construction or landscaping--something that's hands-on and keeps me physically active. I'd just like to know how to network.

Thanks for reading!

One of the best ways is setting up informational interviews. Simply contact people, making it clear you are not looking for a job, but information on a field. You basically are going to ask a person who they got into the work they are doing, what they like about it, and where they think their profession is moving. You can also end by asking who else they can talk with--that helps setting up another meeting because when you contact the next person you can say so-and-so gave me your name...

Also look for any professional organizations in your area and see if they have public meetings you can attend. You can find people there too.

Forgive me if this sounds snotty or condescending - did the person/people who recommended you network know that you are looking for a more blue-collar public works type job? I ask because I’ve had to do lots and lots and lots of networking and it is a VERRRRY white collar endeavor.

I absolutely despise networking. In graduate school it was practically another class. I’ve had a respectable career trajectory but I have no idea how much networking helped, if at all. If you like talking to people about mostly superficial things and you’re good at “making connections” (i.e. following up with people you “clicked with” by email or social media every 6 mos. or so) then networking could be a pastime that may or may not yield anything.

I work for the government, and I frequently see job postings for public works positions. I’m pretty sure you don’t need to network to hear about/qualify for/interview for/get offered jobs as a lineman, technician, maintenance worker, etc. (In California at least.) It sounds to me like once you can take the physical exam, more options will open up to you. I mean, again, if you like talking to people, by all means, do network! It’s never a bad thing to do, but it most certainly is not necessary.

Re: looking for a job for next summer (like June 2021?) I am not sure you’ll see postings until maybe like May 2021. Positions requiring labor tend to open up as they are needed and close when they are filled. I know it can be anxiety-inducing not to be able to line something up ahead of time.