Wherever you go, it seems like the digital age has taken over. Every type of correspondence is over email, text message, social media or some other form of digitized communication.
Seriously, why do we even make paper anymore (You know, outside of academic persistence that everything be handed in via hard-copy)?
Despite the ever-so-slow death of everything tree-pulp, one dogged tradition of the business world remains – the business card. This flimsy, wallet-sized, bookmark-worthy, piece of paper with contact information doesn’t seem to want to take a trip to the great shredder in the sky.
However, there is a good reason for it, and it’s not just because the professional world is slow to let go of their tried and true networking tactics.
Experts say that business cards are even more important now because digital tools have practically eliminated the need for face-to-face interaction.
By giving someone your card, you are not just giving them a piece of paper—you are engaging in a global business tradition and, more importantly, you are making the receiver of the card remember you.
Take it from someone with personal experience—you are out of the loop at any networking event if you don’t have a business card to hand someone. It’s even more awkward if you have to write down your information for someone who wants it—it just looks sloppy and you look unprepared.
Which is why it is all the more important to have a business card, even if you are still a student and are not sure what you want to do with your career (or life in general). Even if you just put down your name email and major, it’s easier for employers to have that basic information when they are looking for interns.
Now I’m not saying you should go all out and try to top cards like the CEO of Kodak’s or Lego’s execs, but perhaps it is a good time to visit Temple’s Career Center, where they can help you create your paper key to networking.
This guest blog post was written by PRowl account executive Kelly Armstrong.
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