Building a Professional Network in Melbourne When You Know No One

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You land here and realise very quickly… knowing people is everything.

Back home, you don’t even think about it. You have cousins, school friends, someone who knows someone. Ukikwama kidogo, you make one call. Here? Hakuna hiyo.

You can have your CV ready, qualifications sorted, even experience… but without people, things move slow. Very slow.

And the hard part is, no one really teaches you how to build a network from scratch in a place where you don’t belong yet.

Because that’s the truth. In the beginning, you don’t belong anywhere.

You walk into spaces and you can feel it. People already know each other. Conversations are flowing, inside jokes, shared history. You’re there trying to figure out when to even speak.

And for many of us, kusema ukweli, we are not naturally “networking people.” We’re not used to going up to strangers and introducing ourselves like that. It feels forced. Almost fake.

So what happens? You stay safe.

You stick to the few people you meet first, mostly other Kenyans. WhatsApp groups, church, small community events. And that’s good, muhimu sana. That community will carry you in ways you don’t even expect.

But if you stay there only, you limit yourself.

Because opportunities here don’t always sit in your comfort zone.

Sometimes it’s that random conversation at work. Sometimes it’s a classmate. Sometimes it’s someone you almost didn’t talk to because you felt awkward.

I’ve seen women get jobs not because they were the most qualified, but because someone remembered them. “I know someone who can do this.” That’s it.

Not magic. Just connection.

But building those connections here… it takes intention.

You have to push yourself kidogo. Talk even when you feel shy. Ask questions. Show up more than once. People here warm up slowly, but once they do, they open doors.

Also, understand this early, not every interaction will go somewhere.

You will talk to people, exchange contacts, and nothing comes out of it. No follow up, no opportunity. That’s normal. Don’t take it personally.

Networking is not instant results. It’s planting seeds you might not even see grow.

Another thing people don’t say, rejection is part of it.

You might reach out and get ignored. You might apply for something and never hear back. You might feel like you’re trying too hard.

You are.

But that’s the phase.

And it’s not just professional spaces.

Even socially, building friendships here is work. Adults don’t just “become friends” quickly. Everyone has their life, their schedule. So you have to be consistent. Check in. Invite people. Follow up.

It can feel one-sided sometimes.

Still, you keep going.

Because slowly, things start shifting.

You recognise faces. People start greeting you by name. Someone sends you a link to a job. Someone invites you to something. Small things, but they matter.

And before you realise it, you’re no longer completely alone in the system.

You have people.

Not many. But enough.

If you’re in that early stage, feeling like you don’t know anyone and don’t even know where to start… start small.

One conversation. One event. One message.

It will feel uncomfortable. It will feel unnecessary even.

But this place… it runs on connections.

And the sooner you accept that, the easier it becomes to move.

Pole pole, you build your own circle.

Not the one you left behind.

A new one.

And that’s how it starts.