Career Advice
Level Up Your Network: How to Identify and Leverage Your Most Valuable Connections

Networking strategies for success are often overlooked in today’s fast-paced digital age. However, building and nurturing relationships with key individuals can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life. In this article, we’ll explore how to identify and leverage your most valuable connections, helping you level up your network and achieve your goals.
Understanding the Power of Networking
Networking is often seen as a necessary evil, something you must do to advance your career or build your business. However, it’s much more than that. Networking is about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and learning from others. It’s about identifying common goals and interests and working together to achieve them.
The Benefits of Networking
- Access to valuable resources and expertise
- Increased opportunities for collaboration and partnerships
- Improved professional development and skill-building
- Enhanced reputation and credibility
- Increased job and business opportunities
Identifying Your Most Valuable Connections
The first step in leveling up your network is to identify your most valuable connections. These are the people who can help you achieve your goals, provide valuable resources and expertise, and open doors to new opportunities. Here are a few ways to identify your most valuable connections:
Reflect on Your Relationships
Take some time to reflect on your relationships. Who are the people you regularly communicate with, and what value do they bring to your life and career? Are there people who consistently offer valuable advice, introductions, or support? These are likely your most valuable connections.
Look for Patterns and Trends
Look for patterns and trends in your relationships. Are there certain industries, roles, or locations that keep popping up? Are there certain skills or expertise that keep coming up in conversations? These patterns and trends can help you identify your most valuable connections.
Ask Yourself Questions
Ask yourself questions about your relationships. Who do you feel most supported by? Who do you feel most comfortable reaching out to for advice? Who do you feel most connected to? These are likely your most valuable connections.
Leveraging Your Most Valuable Connections
Once you’ve identified your most valuable connections, it’s time to start leveraging them. Here are a few ways to do so:
Communicate Regularly
Communicate regularly with your most valuable connections. This can be as simple as sending a weekly or monthly update on your progress, or as complex as scheduling regular calls or meetings.
Ask for Help and Support
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support from your most valuable connections. Whether it’s advice on a specific challenge, an introduction to someone who can help you, or simply a listening ear, your most valuable connections are there to support you.
Offer Value in Return
Remember to offer value in return for the help and support you receive from your most valuable connections. This can be as simple as offering to help them with a project or challenge, or as complex as providing them with valuable insights or resources.
Conclusion
Leveling up your network is a critical step in achieving your personal and professional goals. By identifying and leveraging your most valuable connections, you can access valuable resources and expertise, increase opportunities for collaboration and partnerships, and enhance your reputation and credibility. Remember to communicate regularly, ask for help and support, and offer value in return. With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to leveling up your network and achieving success.
FAQs
Q: How do I identify my most valuable connections?
A: Take some time to reflect on your relationships, look for patterns and trends, and ask yourself questions about your connections. Who do you feel most supported by? Who do you feel most comfortable reaching out to for advice? Who do you feel most connected to?
Q: How do I leverage my most valuable connections?
A: Communicate regularly with your most valuable connections, ask for help and support, and offer value in return. This can be as simple as sending a weekly or monthly update on your progress, or as complex as scheduling regular calls or meetings.
Q: What if I’m struggling to identify my most valuable connections?
A: Don’t worry! It’s normal to struggle to identify your most valuable connections. Take some time to reflect on your relationships and look for patterns and trends. You can also try asking yourself questions about your connections and seeking feedback from others.
Q: How do I maintain my network over time?
A: To maintain your network over time, make sure to communicate regularly with your most valuable connections and continue to offer value in return. You can also try to stay in touch with your connections through social media or other channels, and look for opportunities to collaborate or work together on projects.
Q: Can I have too many connections?
A: Yes, it’s possible to have too many connections. Focus on building a strong network with a small number of people who can provide value and support. Don’t spread yourself too thin by trying to maintain too many connections.
Career Advice
What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree?

If you’ve earned a psychology degree—or you’re working toward one—you’ve probably heard this question more times than you can count: “Are you going to be a therapist?”
The truth is, psychology opens doors far beyond counseling or clinical roles. In 2025, psychology grads are building thriving careers in business, healthcare, education, tech, and beyond—often using their people skills, analytical thinking, and behavioral insight in creative and unexpected ways.
So if you’re wondering how to make the most of your psychology degree (without going back to grad school just yet), here’s a breakdown of top career paths that are both fulfilling and in demand.
Human Resources & Talent Development
One of the most natural fits for psychology majors is HR. Your background in understanding motivation, personality, and group dynamics makes you a strong candidate for roles in recruitment, employee engagement, and organizational development. You might find yourself:
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Designing training programs
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Supporting conflict resolution
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Analyzing employee satisfaction data
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Helping teams improve communication
Common job titles: HR Generalist, Talent Development Coordinator, Learning & Development Specialist, People Operations Associate
Behavioral Data & Research Roles
Psychology grads are trained to ask thoughtful questions, conduct research, and analyze human behavior—skills that are highly valued in market research and user experience (UX) fields.
In UX research, you’ll test products, apps, or websites to understand how users think, feel, and interact. In market research, you might analyze consumer preferences, run focus groups, and help companies shape campaigns based on psychological insights.
Common job titles: UX Researcher, Market Research Analyst, Behavioral Scientist, Research Assistant
Mental Health & Social Services (No Master’s Required)
While becoming a licensed psychologist or counselor typically requires advanced degrees, there are still meaningful entry points in the mental health field.
You could support licensed therapists, work in case management, or provide services in community programs, group homes, or correctional facilities. These roles are essential—and can give you hands-on experience if you’re planning to pursue graduate study later.
Common job titles: Mental Health Technician, Case Manager, Behavioral Health Support Specialist, Youth Advocate
Coaching & Career Services
Psychology grads are well-suited to work in life coaching, career services, and academic advising. These roles allow you to support people through transitions, help them set goals, and develop strategies for personal growth.
As career coaching grows in popularity, more psychology grads are entering this space—especially with certifications in areas like coaching, workforce development, or resume writing.
Common job titles: Career Coach, Academic Advisor, Life Coach, Employment Specialist
Marketing, Content, & Brand Strategy
Yes, you read that right—psych majors make great marketers. Why? Because marketing is all about behavior. Understanding what makes people click, buy, engage, and trust a brand gives you a major advantage.
With additional experience or training, you could work in social media, copywriting, customer insights, or even advertising psychology.
Common job titles: Content Strategist, Marketing Assistant, Consumer Behavior Analyst, Brand Manager
Healthcare & Wellness Support Roles
In the healthcare world, your degree gives you a unique lens to support patients and improve systems—especially in roles focused on advocacy, patient navigation, or program coordination.
These roles are often found in hospitals, clinics, nonprofits, and even insurance companies—where you may not be providing therapy, but you are making a real impact.
Common job titles: Patient Advocate, Health Educator, Wellness Coordinator, Clinical Program Assistant
Tech & Product Development
Believe it or not, tech companies are actively hiring psychology grads—especially in roles that combine behavioral science with product innovation.
You might be involved in testing features for behavior change apps, building gamified learning tools, or studying user behavior to improve product adoption. Some psychology grads even move into product management after gaining experience.
Common job titles: Behavioral Product Analyst, Human Factors Specialist, Product Associate, Tech Project Coordinator
Do You Need More School?
Not necessarily. While certain career paths (like clinical psychology or therapy) require a master’s or doctorate, many of the roles above are accessible with a bachelor’s degree—especially if you complement your education with hands-on experience, certifications, or online courses.
Look into:
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UX research bootcamps
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HR and coaching certifications
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Behavioral data analysis tools (SPSS, Tableau)
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Digital marketing or content strategy courses
Building a bridge between what you learned in school and what the job market needs is the key.
Final Word
A psychology degree isn’t a narrow path—it’s a flexible launchpad. Your ability to analyze human behavior, think critically, and communicate with empathy makes you an asset across industries.
So don’t box yourself in. Think beyond the question “What are you going to do with that degree?” and start asking “Where can I make the biggest impact with how I think?”
Because chances are, that impact could reach far beyond the therapist’s couch.
Career Advice
The Best Jobs that Don’t Feel Like Work

If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming about a job that feels more like play than work—you’re not alone. In 2025, more professionals are prioritizing joy and fulfillment just as much as they do salary. The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.
There’s a growing list of “fun jobs” that also offer solid income potential. And with flexible work structures, digital platforms, and growing niche industries, landing one of these roles might be more within reach than you think.
Here Are Some of the Best Fun Jobs That Pay Well in 2025:
1. Voice Actor
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Average Pay: $75,000–$150,000+ per year
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Why It’s Fun: You get to bring characters to life, narrate audiobooks, or record commercial ads—all from a studio or even your home.
2. Travel Content Creator
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Average Pay: Varies widely ($50K to $200K+ with partnerships)
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Why It’s Fun: Explore new places and cultures while building a following. Brands often pay for partnerships, and YouTube or TikTok monetization adds extra income streams.
3. User Experience (UX) Designer
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Average Pay: $90,000–$140,000 per year
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Why It’s Fun: You design interfaces and experiences that users love, combining creativity with problem-solving in tech, gaming, or mobile apps.
4. Theme Park Designer or Imagineer
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Average Pay: $70,000–$120,000+ per year
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Why It’s Fun: You’re designing rides, attractions, or immersive experiences for some of the world’s most exciting environments. A dream for creatives and engineers alike.
5. Video Game Tester or Developer
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Average Pay: $60,000–$130,000 per year (depending on role)
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Why It’s Fun: Working with new titles before they’re released and giving feedback sounds like a gamer’s dream—and it can be a stepping stone into the broader gaming industry.
6. Event or Experience Curator
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Average Pay: $50,000–$100,000+ per year
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Why It’s Fun: You get paid to plan themed pop-ups, retreats, or immersive brand events. It’s a career for detail-oriented creatives with big imaginations.
7. Food Stylist or Culinary Content Creator
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Average Pay: $60,000–$90,000+ per year
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Why It’s Fun: Think of it as the perfect blend of food, photography, and storytelling. Plus, it often comes with delicious perks.
Thinking of Making the Shift?
Here’s a quick reality check: “fun” doesn’t mean “effortless.” Every career takes work—but the difference is, these roles tend to fuel your energy rather than drain it. Many of them also allow for freelance or remote options, giving you more control over your time and creativity.
If you’re feeling burnt out or boxed in, that might be your signal. You don’t have to choose between passion and paycheck. In fact, the best career moves in 2025 are the ones that let you have both.
So ask yourself: what kind of work would make you lose track of time—and can you make a living doing it? The answer might surprise you.
Career Advice
What is a Good Salary in 2025?

The question comes up in job interviews, performance reviews, and late-night Google searches: What’s considered a good salary in 2025?
The short answer? It depends.
The longer answer involves inflation, location, industry, lifestyle, and even the kind of flexibility you want from your job. In today’s job market, a “good salary” is no longer one-size-fits-all—it’s a moving target shaped by individual needs and economic realities.
Understanding the Baseline
According to the latest reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median household income in the U.S. is approximately $78,000 in 2025, with individual full-time workers earning a median of around $61,000 annually. But that number only tells part of the story.
In high-cost cities like San Francisco or New York, a six-figure salary may barely cover the basics. In lower-cost areas like the Midwest or parts of the South, the same salary can stretch much further.
Cost of living remains one of the biggest variables in defining what’s “good.” Tools like MIT’s Living Wage Calculator or SmartAsset’s salary comparison tools can help jobseekers and professionals get a more grounded view of what they need—not just what looks good on paper.
Beyond Base Pay: Total Compensation Matters
In 2025, a good salary is about more than just the paycheck.
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Does the company offer strong health benefits, including mental health support?
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Are there 401(k) matches or equity options?
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Is there flexibility—remote work, four-day weeks, generous leave policies?
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Are there professional development stipends or tuition reimbursement?
Professionals today are evaluating offers with a more holistic lens. A slightly lower base salary might be more appealing if it comes with great benefits, stability, or career growth.
Industry and Role Make a Big Difference
Some industries are offering premium salaries in response to demand and talent shortages:
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Tech and AI roles remain among the highest-paying, with roles like machine learning engineer, data scientist, and cybersecurity lead earning between $120,000 and $190,000.
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Healthcare professionals, especially nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are seeing strong salary growth amid ongoing shortages.
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Skilled trades like electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians are seeing a resurgence, with experienced workers earning $70,000–$100,000 depending on location.
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Creative and nonprofit roles, while often paying less, are beginning to offer more competitive compensation as demand for mission-driven work increases.
Redefining What “Good” Looks Like
A good salary is not just about beating the national average—it’s about sustainability. Can it support your lifestyle without burnout? Can it offer breathing room, not just survival?
More professionals are setting their own definition of “enough,” based on:
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Financial goals (homeownership, debt repayment, travel)
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Time freedom (how much you’re working for what you earn)
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Alignment (do you feel valued and fairly compensated?)
If the answer is yes across the board, you might be closer to a good salary than you think.
Final Thought:
In 2025, a good salary is both a number and a feeling. It’s the number that lets you live comfortably, save steadily, and work with purpose. And it’s the confidence that you’re being paid what you’re worth in a market that respects your contribution. If you’re not sure where you stand, now is the time to do the research, ask the questions, and advocate for your value.
Stay tuned to WORxK Global News for more salary insights, negotiation strategies, and career growth resources.
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