What is Networking?
Networking is connecting with individuals who know about or work in the career fields that interest you. Most students network regularly without knowing it through social media, campus organizations, job fairs, or with peers in class. You can also be intentional about networking by joining LinkedIn or a professional association.
The more you network, the more opportunities you give yourself to meet and establish relationships with people who may be influential in your career.
One way to network is to set up informational interviews, which is a conversation with a professional that gives you an insider view of a job or industry. For tips, check out the St. Kate’s LinkedIn Outreach Guide and Videos listed as a resource below. You can learn things like:
● What people actually do at work
● What people like and dislike about their job
● How people get started in the field
● Current trends in the job market
A website for connecting with professionals from around the world.
Professional Associations
A network of people who work in the same industry or career field.
Common Myths & Reframes
REFRAME: Networking allows you to exchanging information, advice, and support regarding challenges. It’s for people at any stage in their life and career.
REFRAME: Networking is about creating relationships and connections with others so that you can share resources and opportunities. It should be a relationship that is two-sided and benefits all involved.
REFRAME: Networking is all about building support, so anyone can participate. You don’t have to be the most vocal or outgoing person to be able to make connections. Simply identify your strengths and focus on one-on-one relationship building.
REFRAME: Whether you know it or not, you have a community of people around you who are able to support you as you build your professional life. Think about: classmates, friends, family members, past/present coworkers, supervisors, teachers, faculty, and university staff. Additionally, it’s not just about who you directly know, but who they know, too. Ask your community if they know anyone who may be in your field of interest!
