Lateral Networking: Building Your Career with Peer Connections

When you think about networking, it’s easy to picture reaching up—connecting with industry leaders, seasoned mentors, and established professionals who can guide you. But here’s a truth that’s often overlooked: some of the most impactful relationships in your career are the ones you build with people at your level—your peers.

Issa Rae is known to have shared a piece of networking advice:  we shouldn't be aiming to network up -- we should be networking across: "Who's next to you? Who's struggling? Who's in the trenches with you? Who's just as hungry as you are? And those are the people that you need to build with." 

Lateral networking isn’t just a strategy; it’s a way to grow alongside people who understand your journey, share your challenges, and can create opportunities with you.

Growing Together: Why Your Peers Matter

Look around at the colleagues, collaborators, and acquaintances in your industry right now. These are tomorrow’s leaders. The people you share ideas with today could become your future partners, clients, or advocates. By investing in these relationships now, you’re not just networking—you’re planting seeds for long-term growth.

Shared Experiences, Real Support

At this stage in your career, you might be juggling a lot—stepping up in your role, exploring personal growth, or figuring out your next big move. Peers in the same boat get it. They understand the late-night brainstorming sessions,  imposter syndrome, and the grind of building credibility.  

These relationships offer something unique: real-time empathy and shared wisdom. Whether it’s talking through career challenges or celebrating wins, your peers can provide insights and encouragement in a way that feels authentic and relatable.

Collaboration Sparks Growth

Peers bring fresh perspectives that challenge you to think differently. Maybe it’s a designer helping you refine your storytelling or a writer co-editing a project with you. These collaborations not only sharpen your skills but also expose you to new ideas and approaches.

Lateral networking often leads to joint ventures—whether it’s co-authoring an article, co-producing content, or tackling a shared challenge. These partnerships aren’t just fulfilling; they amplify your expertise and give you a platform to showcase your work to a broader audience.

Turning Networking into Collaboration

Collaborating with peers opens doors you may not have considered. Platforms like LinkedIn, Slack, and niche forums make it easy to connect with people who share your goals. When you work with someone at a similar stage, the dynamic is balanced and energizing. Together, you can brainstorm, build, and shine.

Don’t underestimate the power of co-editing a piece, co-creating a project, or just sharing resources—it’s these small steps that lead to big opportunities.

Future-Proofing Your Career

As you grow, so do your peers. The connections you build now aren’t just for today; they’re for the long haul. Over time, these relationships evolve into partnerships, alliances, and lifelong friendships.

While hierarchal connections may fade as roles shift, lateral relationships tend to deepen. Why? Because they’re built on shared experiences, mutual respect, and genuine collaboration.

Put the Concept Into Practice

• Be Present: Attend industry events or virtual meetups where you can connect with like-minded professionals.

• Add Value: Share knowledge and opportunity leads, celebrate your peers’ achievements, and offer support when they need it.

• Stay in Touch: Check in regularly. Send a quick note, share an interesting resource, or simply ask how they’re doing.

• Use Technology: Platforms like LinkedIn, Slack groups, and Instagram can help you find and engage with peers who inspire you.  Not to mention, a like and a share can go a long way to building visibility for friends’ projects!

Lateral networking isn’t a backup plan; it’s a core strategy for building a strong, sustainable career. The people at your level today are your partners in growth, innovation, and success. By collaborating with your peers, you’re not just advancing your career—you’re creating a network that will support and inspire you for years to come.

Some of our Favorite Industry Groups that promote Lateral Networking

Brown Girls Doc Mafia, BIPOC Doc Editors, Women in Animation, Find Your People Program, Women in Film, The Handy Foundation, DOC NYC, Association of Independent Commercial Production, Academy Gold Rising