Networking. The word alone can make a lot of people feel nervous. Whether you’re an introvert trying to figure out how to approach someone new, or someone who doesn’t know where to even begin building a professional circle, it can feel like a whole world of pressure.

In this episode of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar explores the honest reality of networking. What it actually looks like, how it can genuinely open doors and why it’s not just reserved for people with big titles and flashy CVs.

She first hears from Mahmoud Hudaib, who got his current job at one of the biggest cosmetic companies in the world through nothing but a conversation. He shares what taking the initiative looked like for him, how his views on networking evolved and what that experience taught him about showing up for yourself − even when it feels uncomfortable.

Then comes Basant Shenouda, a Harvard graduate and account manager at Google. She breaks down what it means to have a digital presence, how to approach people online and offline and how even those small connections can grow into meaningful opportunities. She speaks to the fears, the hesitations and the misconceptions about networking, offering a grounded perspective that feels both encouraging and practical.

How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life skills they were never formally taught. New episodes appear every Monday across podcast platforms.