Networking 101 For College Students

How exciting, you're a college student who's ready to start networking!

Now if you're thinking "Eh, not really" or "I have no idea where to start!" No need to worry, I've got you covered. As a recent graduate who's been through it all, I have some actionable and honest tips to help you become a networking pro.

In this blog, we'll explore practical tips and strategies for college students such as yourself to build meaningful connections with professionals in their field. We'll cover everything from how to start a conversation to valuable resources to find professionals in your field of interest.

So, let's embark on this exciting journey of personal and professional growth together. You're going to learn how to expand your network and find that guiding light in your educational adventure.

How to Start a Conversation

Before we delve into the resources of expanding your network, let’s talk about how to actually start a conversation. I know starting a conversation can seem scary, but I promise with the right tools and practice, you’ll feel confident in no time!?

If you already have an elevator pitch (if you don’t that’s perfectly ok - you can view my guide here on how to craft a compelling pitch), this is generally where most of your conversations will begin. Your elevator pitch gives insight into who you are, what you do, and what your aspirations are. Even more importantly, it’s meant to start a conversation, not just list your accomplishments. You can drive the conversation by ending your pitch with an open-ended question. For example, if you just watched a presentation and wanted to introduce yourself to the speaker. Your introduction may look a little something like this:?

“Hi Professor Smith, I’m Susan, and I’m an aspiring digital marketer. I was very interested in your presentation about social media ad trends, can you tell me more about…”

By ending your pitch with a question, you're driving the conversation!

Join a Club

Clubs are a great way to start building and expanding your network!

Here are my tips on how you can effectively expand your network through clubs:?

• Learn from others in your shoes: You’ll likely be surrounded by people who are dealing with or who have dealt with what you’re feeling in relation to your field. Use that to your advantage! Ask them questions about the field and take the time to form those relationships, as it can be quite lucrative in the future.?
• Get involved: Joining a club is great, but you can take it a step further by getting involved. Being involved can mean being part of a committee, participating in events, or becoming a club officer. Doing so can help you make better connections and further build your personal brand. As a previous club President, I had the opportunity to build a ton of great connections with professionals in my field and I still keep in touch with some of those professionals to this day.?
• Meet new people: Clubs are a great way to start building and expanding your network! I know it may seem overwhelming because some clubs can have a large number of members, but I promise joining can really help advance your career. It gives you the opportunity to build relationships with people who share your interests and goals.?

Attend Industry Related Events

Attending events is an almost sure-fire way of expanding your network, as most individuals at these events are looking to do the same. Now, where do you find industry-related events? Check out your college’s event calendar! It’ll likely have a ton of different types of events you can attend to build your connections. Additionally, you can look to places like Handshake and Eventbrite to find events in your local area.?

Let’s dive into some actionable tips for most of attending any professional event:?

• Do your research: Before you attend any event, take the time to learn about it. Who are the speakers? What topics will be covered? What questions can you ask those attending? This will help you have your best foot forward when you get there.?
• Come prepared: Make sure to bring plenty of business cards and have a brief elevator pitch ready. This is a short, concise summary of who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for.?
• Be social: Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to new people and strike up conversations (hint hint - this is where your elevator pitch comes in!). Take the time to meet with the attendees, including the speaker/s if you can. Remember, the speaker/s may not have a ton of time for conversation, so try to limit your interaction to one or two questions max and try to make these questions impactful.?
• Follow-up: If you made some good connections at an event, be sure to follow up with them. Shoot them a personalized LinkedIn message or email and don’t forget to thank them and include something you spoke about to job their memory, as they likely met a bunch of people during the event. This type of gesture can go a long way!

Connect with Field-Related Individuals on LinkedIn

LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for building your professional connections! And with the many features LinkedIn has to offer, you’re only a few clicks away from finding individuals in your field.?

Here are my steps for how to find and engage with field-related professionals on LinkedIn:

• Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: Before reaching out to any professionals, make sure your profile is up-to-date and accurately reflects your career aspirations; as most potential connections will view your profile before accepting your connection request. Use a professional headshot, write a compelling headline, and craft a concise, but informative summary that highlights your interests and goals.
• Identify Relevant Professionals: Under the “network” tab on LinkedIn, you’ll be able to find professionals, organizations, and groups that align with your interests. Try connecting with individuals from your college, individuals with a similar role as yours, or joining a group. Additionally, you can use the “search bar” to search for keywords and groups related to your career goals.?
• Personalize Connection Requests: Personalization matters, especially when it comes to a connection request. Think about all the connection requests on LinkedIn you may have denied because they tried to sell you or simply said nothing at all. In your request, mention why you’re interested in connection, express your admiration for their work, or explain how your interests align with theirs. A personalized massage shows that you’ve done your homework and can offer the opportunity to start a conversation. You’re more likely to get a response this way.?
• Engage with Content: Now that you’ve got some followers, take the time to regularly engage with their content. Like, comment, ask questions, and share relevant posts to establish yourself as an active member of the community. However, don’t just engage to engage, you should aim to provide valuable and insightful comments to the field/discussion. Doing so will work to improve your personal brand and further push you as a thought leader in the space.
• Attend Virtual Events & Webinars: LinkedIn frequently hosts virtual events and webinars on all kinds of professional topics. You can find upcoming events by searching your keyword and then events in the search bar. For example, if I wanted to view events related to email marketing, I’d search “email marketing events.” These events provide opportunities to learn from the experts and connect with attendees who share your interests. Participate actively, ask questions, and connect with fellow participants afterward.

Conduct Informational Interviews

One thing you don’t notice the importance of until you graduate is the importance of informational interviews. I cannot stress this enough, professionals (including myself) love speaking to college students, so use this to your advantage!

Now you may be thinking, where do I even find a professional to interview? Well, this is where my previous tips come into play. If you’ve made some connections via events or even through LinkedIn, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for an interview. Honestly, the worst that can happen is that they say “no” or simply don’t respond, so try not to let that hold you back. Remember, if you don’t ask, then the answer is already a no. Additionally, you may be able to find professionals to interview by reaching out to your current connections to ask if anyone they know would be interested. For example, this could be your friends, family, colleagues, or professors. The more informational interviews you conduct, the more you’ll be able to truly learn about the field you want to go into.?

Here are some questions I used to ask when conducting an informational interview:?

• What do enjoy most about your role??
• How did you know you wanted to go into “x” industry??
• What type of roadblocks typically occur in your role/industry?
• What advice would you give to someone who’s just entering the workforce?
• What are your favorite resources for keeping up with industry-related trends?

Find a Mentor

What’s unique about a mentor over an informational interview is that you can ask more personalized questions and receive more well-rounded advice because this person has gotten a chance to know you.?

Let’s dive into how you can find a mentor during your college career:?

• Define Your Goals: What are you looking for in a mentor? What areas of your academic or professional life do you need guidance in? Take the time to define your goals and objectives, this will help you find a mentor that will benefit your career readiness growth.?
• Tap Into Your Campus Resources: Many colleges and universities offer mentorship programs or resources to connect with experienced professionals. Check in with your academic department or career center to see where they can offer assistance.?
• Leverage LinkedIn: As mentioned earlier, LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for connecting with professionals. Look for individuals who have achieved success in your field of interest or who hold positions you aspire to. They don’t have to be high-profile figures; sometimes the most effective mentors are those a few steps ahead of your career. Professors, alumni, or professionals in your field can all be excellent candidates.?
• Reach Out with a Clear Request: Asking someone to mentor you is a lot like asking someone out on a date. It’s nerve-racking and you’re not exactly sure what their response will be. When approaching a potential mentor, be clear and specific about what you’re seeking. Explain why their guidance would be valuable and what you hope to gain from the mentorship. Being respectful of their time and demonstrating a sincere commitment will increase your chances of receiving a positive response.?
• Be Open to Informal Mentoring: Mentoring can come in all shapes and sizes; it doesn’t always have to be a formal arrangement. Informal mentorship relationships can develop through meaningful interactions with individuals you respect and admire. Stay open to learning from those around you, whether it’s a classmate, professor, colleague, or supervisor.?

Keep in mind that mentorship is a reciprocal relationship. Be punctual, responsive, and respectful of their time. Act on their advice and feedback, and make an effort to keep the lines of communication open. Building a strong mentorship can be one of the most rewarding experiences during your college journey and beyond!

Conclusion

You made it! You’re one step closer to expanding your professional network. As we reach the end of this blog, remember that it's not just about the destination; it's about the people you meet along the way and the knowledge and wisdom you gain from them. Continue to nurture these relationships, offer your insights and assistance when you can, and never stop learning.

With the right network or trusted mentor by your side, the possibilities are endless, and your college years can become a time of growth, discovery, and empowerment. So go out there, make those connections, and let your college journey be not just a path but an enriching adventure!?

And as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with comments or questions. Let’s work to build a career where you can thrive!