It's true that I never pass up an opportunity to make connections, so I take this good-natured ribbing in stride. Networking is an art, and like any artist, I'm constantly practicing, refining and critiquing my work. Networking continues to make a huge contribution to my life and career, and it's a skill that anyone can acquire. Because even in a flush economy, you're more likely to find a position through personal contacts than through any other avenue. The way to do that is to network.
Some people dismiss networking, hoping to get through their careers without it.
If you're just starting out, you may view networking as difficult, if not impossible. Treat networking like a game. Networking is a time-honored tradition that most people apply every day without knowing it. View it as making contacts, creating relationships, finding out about essentials, even as making friends. Networking is based on the premise that we're all humans and need each other.