Student Government Association-hosted Networking 101 event featured presenters, HPU alumni and Hawai'i-business leaders Naomi Hazelton and Joy Barua, address the event attendees.
On March 2, the Student Government Association hosted “Networking 101,” an event that encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones and learn how to create strong relationships to grow their personal and professional lives.
One may ask: What does it take to build your own career, a brand, or community? For Naomi Hazelton, an HPU alumna, the answer starts with a firm handshake, steady eye contact, and maybe a few jumping jacks. As for HPU alumnus Joy Barua, he believes in getting real-world experience and reaching out to different people to grow your connections.
The students were split into two groups, allowing them to have unique experiences with Hazelton and Barua. Though different, both groups left with valuable information.
Hazelton, who earned her M.A. in Corporate Communications from Hawaiʻi Pacific University, recently returned to campus to share the lessons she learned building an impressive career in Hawaiʻi’s media industry. She co-founded Pacific Edge Magazine and later launched Element Media, where she served as a publisher, founder, and CEO overseeing business development, marketing, events, and sales. Her work earned her a coveted spot on Pacific Business News’ “40 Under 40” list, solidifying her reputation as one of Hawai'i's influential young leaders.
Most recently, Hazelton has expanded her footprint through Pacific Edge Media Group, managing events, digital streaming, publications, and social media. She also launched the Aloha Gentlemen's Collective, which strives to raise and lead the younger generation to become gentlemen and stewards of aloha.
Founder and CEO of Pacific Edge Media Group Naomi Hazelton (far right) leads her student networking group session.
Before diving into the lessons of networking, Hazelton did something unexpected. She had the entire room jump up and down while repeating, "I'm excited!” It was a technique she swears by and uses before every speech, interview, and conference. As the students jumped, the room echoed in laughter. The nervousness began to fade, and immediately the students felt more at ease. That was Hazelton's precise point. “It works,” she reassured the students with a smile. “Every single time.”
Hazelton proceeded to explain two fundamentals that she considers nonnegotiable in any networking setting: eye contact and a great handshake. Together, she said, they communicate confidence, respect, and genuine interest before a single word is exchanged. She offered hands-on feedback to students in the room, providing both compliments and specific points of improvement, making the session to feel less like a lecture and more like personal coaching.
On the other hand, Barua, who earned his MBA from Hawaiʻi Pacific University and is the President of Finance Insurance Ltd., one of Hawaiʻi’s largest locally owned insurance agencies, approached his group of students with a personal conversation. For over two decades, he has held executive roles across government, health care, and nonprofit organizations, managing portfolios worth hundreds of millions of dollars. His work has earned him recognition as an Architect of Change, a Leader in Healthcare, a Top 100 Under 50 Emerging Leader, and a “20 for the Next 20” honoree. He is also a “People to Watch” honoree for Hawaii Business Magazine, solidifying his reputation as a multi-sector professional with an insatiable appetite for challenge. Since 2002, Barua has also shared his expertise as a lecturer in the College of Business at Hawaiʻi Pacific University.
President of Finance Insurance Ltd. Joy Barua (far right) leads his student networking group session.
After Barua introduced himself, he asked the students to share who they were, too. He wanted to know about their career interests and where they grew up. Barua gave students a handout outlining 10 tips for effective networking, how networking can help you, and where to start. He had conversations with all the students and had them share their thoughts, making jokes to lighten the conversation. He broke down the handout and provided personal experiences to each of the tips.
I asked Barua, “How may rejection direct you to success?" He said, “Rejection is just a warmup for future success, and it can be seen in a number of ways.”
The HPU students in attendance seemed to have just as much fun while also learning critical professional skills. Delaney Ngyuen shared: “Both guests demonstrated their skills they learned from attending HPU and from real world experience! We were grateful to have their expertise present at Networking 101.”
