5 Essential Tips for Building Your Network in College

Writer: Dajone Morris

      

Image by: scientips.com

We have all heard the story of the person who knows someone, who helped them get the job
they wanted. Sometimes it may be a former schoolmate, past employer, or even a friend. This
is called networking.

Unfortunately, a lot of universities and colleges don’t teach the importance of networking,
which is one of the most powerful weapons you can hone to build your career. So, what is
networking? "Networking", in the professional sense, means building a connection with people
normally within your field. These people can be a fellow schoolmate, lecturer, experts, working
professionals, etc.

The purpose of networking is quite simple; it is to create relationships with people who can help
you get to where you want to go, and the sooner you start, the better. With that said, it is highly
recommended to start networking while in college, long before entering the working world.

Add Networking To Your Day-To-Day Schedule.

As college students, most of you go to school daily, meaning you are interacting with lecturers
and your fellow students; these people are your most valuable assets when it comes to job
hunting. Consider your lecturers to be a sort of gatekeeper to a plethora of opportunities.
Why? Think about it, your professors have taught several students in the past who are currently
active in the working world.

You never know when one might call for a recommendation for a specific role and your
professor may just think of you. As for your schoolmates, you never know where they may end
up after university. They may be working at that dream company you wish to work for, and
might be the one to recommend you or give you the opportunity to apply for a position at said
company.

Attend Network Events, Job Fairs, Business Events

Websites like evertbrite.com provide information on local business events in your industry.
Be sure to keep a keen eye on them, along with other companies' normal posting of flyers for
business events on their social media. Before attending these events, be sure to know why
you're going there, know what you want to ask, and take note of all the people you would like
to speak with. After attending, take the time to send an email to the attendees saying that you
enjoyed meeting them, and that you hope to stay in touch.

Pay A Visit To Your Careers Center

The purpose of your career center is to improve your chances of employment, so pay them a
visit. They frequently have internships or jobs posted by university alumni that assist you with
resume writing. They also post about upcoming job fairs to be held at the university. Even
though you may not be actively looking for a job, it is always good to attend these fairs. It
allows you to meet representatives from different companies within your field, and learn more
about what is actively happening in the field.

Get Involved In School

Being involved in school has a number of advantages, including making new friends, building

your resume with school involvements, and of course, networking. Some ways to get involved

are: participating in events hosted by your school, joining different clubs, using student media,

etc. This will allow you to connect with students, advisors, alumni, and more. Additionally, as

simple as it may sound, doing this helps you put your name on the map of the working world.

Never Be Afraid To Make The First Move

The saying “you miss all the shots you don’t take” is very true as it is rare to have an opportunity
thrown at you out of nowhere. Always try to make the first move. Approach the lecturer after
class and ask about the extra stuff no one thinks of asking during class. Interact with more
people in your field of study, and don’t be afraid to ‘put yourself out there’.