| By Ally Mueller |
The word “network” has become a buzzword in the 21st century. From building a network through LinkedIn, meeting friends and/or professionals for coffee, and asking people for more connections/references to meet with, networking has become an ingrained part of the professional world. While building a network sounds easy enough, this can actually be somewhat arduous, especially for college students or young professionals that have just entered the workforce. Nevertheless, there are a few key ways to build your network that will most certainly benefit you in both college and beyond.
1. Connect with fellow students in your major.
While people your own age in the same position as you may not seem to be helpful additions to your network, your peers are some of the most important people to add to your network. Peers can be especially helpful a few years after college when you are looking for a new job, as you can easily connect with them and ask about their current job and profession. If you especially attempt to connect with people in your major, these students are likely to be pursuing similar jobs, and will likely know a professional or two that you may be able to connect with as well. A good idea is to connect a peer with one professional you know and have them do the same for you. This allows you both to benefit from the networking!
2. Talk to professors, specifically those who you find especially interesting or whose background you want to learn more about.
Professors are experienced and most have large networks of their own! If you get to know your professors well, they will likely be more than happy to refer you to a friend or colleague of theirs that might benefit you. Going to office hours and staying after class can truly pay off!
3. Don’t be afraid to ask your parents and friends if they have a contact or two that would meet with you.
You may assume that your parents and friends (especially if they are in a profession you aren’t interested in) may not know anyone who may be able to help you professionally, but the beauty of a network is that your friends and family often know of people who can benefit you professionally. In fact, if they don’t know of someone, they will likely be able to refer you to a friend of theirs who does know someone who could help you.
4. Go to networking events on campus, or consider joining a professional organization.
If you keep your eyes out, there are often networking events, internship panels, or information nights about specific internships that occur right on UP’s campus. I personally recently participated in a networking dinner, Mentors360, which allowed me to connect with business professionals (my major) right here at UP. There were professionals from Nike, Intel, Standard Insurance, construction companies, OHSU, and more at the dinner. The head of Mentors360 even referred me to another accountant who was unable to make the dinner and I was able to meet him and another coworker for lunch. Additionally, joining a professional organization can help with networking. A few of the professional organizations on campus include Alpha Kappa Psi, Beta Beta Beta, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Student Nurses Association, just to name a few. Many of these clubs bring in guest speakers that are currently employed in a desirable field/organization. This gives you the opportunity to learn more about a profession and network with the speaker.
5. If you have a job, get to know your coworkers and supervisors.
It can be easy to simply perform your designated duties at work and not interact with your fellow coworkers and supervisors, but if you get to truly know the people you work with, they can not only become your friends (or mentors), but valuable members of your network who will be willing to connect you with members of their personal network. Even if you leave a job, staying connected with people from your previous employer is an important way to keep your network strong and intact.
It’s important to remember, though, that having lunch or coffee with someone is not the end of the networking relationship; it’s actually quite the opposite. It’s mandatory to stay in touch and be genuine with your connections. After all, if you are looking for a job down the road, someone who you haven’t kept in touch with will likely be reluctant to help you, whereas if you stay in contact with them fairly regularly, they will be more willing to put in a good word for you/give you a recommendation. Networking can seem overwhelming at first, but if you slowly but surely build up your network, you will find yourself with a strong group of friends and professionals to support you in your professional endeavors.