Let’s Get Real About "Community" and "Network" — No Dictionary Required

Alright , let’s dive into some definitions—but don’t expect me to go Googling for textbook explanations. I’m giving you the raw, unfiltered first impressions straight from my brain to your screen. Buckle up butter cup as my mother would say. 

First up: COMMUNITY 

What pops into your head? And no, I’m not talking about the TV show (though justice for Troy and Abed, always). I’m talking about actual communities. My gut reaction? A group of people with meaningful relationships, the kind where someone will show up with soup when you’re sick or drag you out of bed when you’re spiraling. 

Growing up, I constantly heard “it takes a village”—usually when someone’s kid was wildin’ out or a family needed support. That phrase? That’s community. It’s people showing up, consistently, because they care. 

But here’s the twist: how does that even work in an online forum? I’m not exactly a digital butterfly. I mostly haunt the internet to watch old Vines (RIP) and get hit with music video nostalgia. Still, I know folks—actual friends—who met their entire friend group on Reddit. Like, they joined a niche little forum over a shared obsession, started talking, met IRL, and now they’re inseparable. That, my friends, is community—born from memes, sustained by connection. 

Next: NETWORK 

Whew, just saying the word makes me want to grab a blazer and some business cards. "Network" gives me major scratchy skirt and tight shoes at the BBB mixer vibes. You know the one. To me, a network is a more professional, “let’s-connect-on-LinkedIn-and-never-speak-again” kind of space. It’s all about strategy, not soul. 

Don’t get me wrong—networks have their place. I joined a few during my Bachelor’s program. Did I make besties? No. But I did get cool academic articles and resources that helped me cram for finals and sound smarter than I felt. So, you know… it wasn’t a waste. 

So what’s the tea? 

At the end of the day, ask yourself: 
Do you want to join something that feels like a digital family, where you can actually connect? Or do you want a place that shares resources and might score you a referral someday? 

OR—hear me out—can they coexist? 
Maybe that’s the sweet spot. A network with community vibes. A space that informs and connects. Where people care about the topic and each other. 

Our song choice for this article is no other than the Spice Girls, because obviously friendship never ends. ( I just really wanted to add this song)

YouTube. (n.d.-a). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJLIiF15wjQ&list=RDgJLIiF15wjQ&start_radio=1