Networking as a college student: Putting your best foot forward
As a college student, networking can help you expand your knowledge, build useful contacts and help you learn a lot about diverse topics
The importance of networking as a student
Going to networking events as a college student
Networking is a key component of success in many industries and professional sectors, and can more often than not help you access potential opportunities that you might otherwise not have access to.
Though ‘networking’ is a general term, there are generally three ways that you can build professional networks to empower your future success as a college student:
Industry immersion
Spending time, interning, or job shadowing (if your relevant visa allows it) in your chosen industry is possibly the best way to form future connections that can help you secure employment once your degree is over. Meeting potential employers, managers, or industry stakeholders can enable you to network effectively and pursue leads for future opportunities.
Partnerships
Many employers form close relationships with universities and study societies with the view of exchanging interests, demonstrating technology and advances, or highlighting prospective work opportunities. Exploring your school’s partnerships with major employers can help you connect with like minded, high-calibre peers and industry professionals.
Student organisations
Your peers and study partners are set to become a vital part of your industry after completing their degrees - and having friends and acquaintances you can reach out to can enable you to provide credible references or referrals to opportunities in the future.
How to start networking in college
Questions to ask at networking event as a student:
How did you join this industry?
What skills are the most important for your job?
*How do you see this industry developing? *
If you could tell your college self one thing, what would it be?
Are there some things in your field that your education didn’t prepare you for?
What has changed most in this industry since you started?
What do you see as the major trends and issues in the industry today?
What does a typical workday/week in your position look like?
What projects are you working on now in this position?
What is your company’s culture like?
Are there any professional development opportunities available at your workplace? What are they?
Should I send a follow-up email after networking?
Hi [Connection’s name],
*I really enjoyed learning more about what you do at [Event name] and would love the opportunity to connect over coffee or a virtual coffee meet to learn more about your experience with [Their industry] or [Their specialty]. *
This is particularly interesting to me, as I’m currently studying a [Degree name] and [University name] and I am very interested in learning more about how you use [Solution/Topic Discussed].
Would you be available to grab a coffee for 20 minutes on [Day] at [Time] or chat virtually via Zoom?
Looking forward to hearing from you,
[Your name]
How do I change my LinkedIn account when networking?
LinkedIn has become a powerful resource for professionals seeking to find new opportunities, expand their network, or learn more about their world of work - and naturally, enhancing your LinkedIn profile can enable you to put your best foot forward!
LinkedIn profiles receive the most traction in their relevant employment networks when they are completed with as much information as possible. To that end, make sure that your profile:
Has a recent and clear profile picture
Has your professional name and title
Has a memorable tagline, relevant to your interests and work
Contains any work experience or previous education history you’d like to share
Contains your interests and causes you are passionate about
Further, if your chosen networking event has been featured as a LinkedIn event, be sure to mark your attendance so that new connections are able to easily find your profile after the event concludes.
If you are open to employment - whether part time or full time - adding an optional “Open to work” banner to your profile picture can enable recruiters or new connections to recognise that you’re open to new opportunities.
