The Ripple Effect of Networking

Starting from scratch can be daunting, having a mindset of turning your studies into your marketing springboard changes the game...? Handshakes, coffee chats and zoom calls have proven to be timeless approaches to building connections, securing deals and maintaining a rich network. When I first landed in the UK, I thought the biggest challenge would be adjusting to the weather or keeping up with my coursework.

Volunteer, Volunteer, Volunteer!?

Often, we feel volunteering means missing out on cash benefits. While this might be true, volunteering gives you the opportunity to experience the reality of experiences and build professional pool of contacts/niche for yourself. Take advantage and source out volunteering opportunities.?

Events and Career fairs to stand out

Get copies of your cv and personal portfolio and storm such platforms to build a personal brand for yourself. Informal yet powerful in delivering results. Have a chat with potential employers and stakeholders to leave a lasting impression in their mind. You can send a follow-up email to follow up on conversations.?

Immerse yourself in part time work...??

Take on a part-time job. I recall emailing the international office to work for them as an international ambassador. While it started as just a way to gain experience, I soon realised that working alongside the team and other students allowed me to form valuable connections. These were people who could guide me, support my learning, and even open doors to future opportunities.

Keep the connections alive ?

My last lesson in networking is the most crucial one: following up. It’s easy to exchange numbers or connect on LinkedIn, at events and on campus and then let the connection fizzle out. But I learned that staying in touch, even with a quick message or a friendly email, keeps the relationship alive. I still reach out to that consulting firm representative from my first career fair. Every now and then, I send him an update or a quick “thank you” for his advice. These small efforts have strengthened my network in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I first arrived.?

LinkedIn has proven to be a great resource to secure great connections. Optimise your profile to reflect your career trajectory. Send that message, ask for a coffee chat and shoot a solution to a potential manager.

"Your network is your net worth."? Porter Gale??

If you found this valuable, comment your thoughts, like and share to your connections. Stay tuned for further bi-weekly newsletters.

Have fruitful week!

Sedinam