I've watched hundreds of ambitious women in their 20s try to "network" and hit a wall. Here's what I've seen go wrong — and the fix for each one.

1. Collecting contacts instead of building relationships

You don't need 500 LinkedIn connections. You need 10 people who actually know what you're working on and want to help. Depth > breadth.

2. Only networking "up"

Everyone wants a mentor. But your most valuable connections right now are peers — the women at your level who'll rise alongside you and open doors for each other for decades.

3. Waiting for the "right" event

There's no perfect conference that'll change your career. Consistency beats one-off events. Show up to the same room repeatedly and people start to remember you.

4. Not following up within 48 hours

You had an amazing conversation. Then you never messaged them. The follow-up is where the relationship actually starts. Send a short, specific message within 2 days.

5. Trying to sound impressive instead of being curious

The best networkers aren't the best talkers — they're the best listeners. Ask real questions. Be genuinely interested. People remember how you made them feel.

We built The Collective to solve these exact problems. Curated events, a real community, and a space where early-career women actually build relationships that matter.

If that sounds like what you need, come check it out.