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Your College Experience Is More Than Just a GPA
As the new school year begins, you’re focusing on new classes, new friends, and new opportunities. But all too often, students wait until their senior year to really make an effort to network, and by then, they’ve missed out on countless opportunities. The truth is, your college experience is about so much more than just what’s on your transcript. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build your network. Building and nurturing your professional network is truly as important as your degree. When you’re nearing graduation, a strong network will be your most powerful tool for finding a great job in your field. So you’ll want to invest in your future career starting now, one connection at a time.
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Check for scholarshipsWhat Does It Mean to “Build Your Network?”
You might feel that the term “networking” sounds a bit intimidating or even a little fake. But it’s actually a critical part of career planning. Building your network simply means creating and nurturing meaningful professional relationships with people who can help you—and who you can help in return—throughout your career. It’s about finding mentors, peers, and industry contacts who can offer guidance, open doors to new opportunities, and share valuable insights. Focus on building genuine connections based on shared interests and mutual respect.
Who Should Be in Your Network?
Your network is a diverse web of connections, that goes beyond professionals in your field. When preparing to build your network, think broadly and strategically:
On-Campus Connections
Professors
They are experts in your field and can offer research opportunities, career advice, and powerful recommendations.
Dean of Your Major Department
They often have extensive industry connections and can provide high-level guidance.
Department Admin Staff
These individuals are a wealth of knowledge about department resources, events, and opportunities.
Career Center Staff
Their entire job is to help you find internships and jobs. They have resources for resume building, interview practice, and industry connections.
Peers in Your Program
These are your future colleagues! They can be great for study groups now and job referrals later.
Off-Campus & Industry Connections
Employers in Your Industry
When looking for a job to help you pay for college, be sure to apply to jobs that are relevant to your major. All too often, students assume that those jobs won’t be available to them until after they have graduated. But you might be surprised to discover that there are internships or paid opportunities you can access before you graduate. And sometimes those employers actually offer education benefits to help you pay for college!
Professionals in Your Field
Seek out people who work in the roles or companies you admire.
Alumni
Your school’s alumni network is an incredible resource. Alumni are often eager to help fellow students and grads.
Peers/Advisors for Social Organizations
Officers and members of clubs and Greek organizations on campus can be great sources of leadership experience and connections. Coaches and members of sports teams and other recreational activities and programs offer additional connections.
How to Engage with Your Network
Building your network is an active process. Here are some simple and effective ways to start:
In-person
- Attend professor office hours to discuss academic and career-related topics that interest you.
- Schedule informational interviews with employers and alumni to learn about their career paths.
- Participate in on-campus events, career fairs, and industry conferences.
- Join professional organizations related to your field—many offer student memberships at a discounted rate.
- Form or join study groups with your peers to boost your academics as well as develop professional relationships that you’ll be able to leverage throughout your career.
Online
- Leverage professional networking platforms like LinkedIn. A well-maintained profile is your digital resume.
- Connect with people on LinkedIn after you’ve met them at an event or in person.
- Follow companies and thought leaders in your industry on social media to stay informed.
- Follow and interact with peers on social media and in Discord communities. Once you’ve graduated, you’ll find that social media enables you to maintain those relationships for the foreseeable future.
- Attend online industry events, such as webinars, conferences, etc.
- Schedule virtual meetings with professionals in your field if in-person options aren’t available.
Communications to Help You Stay in Touch
- Sometimes a “meeting” isn’t necessary, but you may want to make sure that people keep you on their radar. That’s where emails, texts, and social media likes/comments/DMs come in.
- Just be sure that your communications are relevant and make sense based on the relationship you’ve developed.
Mastering Your LinkedIn Network
If you are looking to build your network, LinkedIn is a crucial tool. A profile with 500+ connections is often seen as the benchmark for a robust and established network. Here’s a strategic approach to get there:
Build Your Foundation
Start by connecting with people you already know: classmates, professors, family members, and co-workers from past jobs or internships. These easy connections will kickstart your network.
Connect with Alumni From Your School
Use LinkedIn’s alumni tool to find and connect with alumni from your university who work in your desired field or at companies that interest you. Mentioning your shared university is a great way to personalize your outreach.
Personalize Every Request
Never use the default LinkedIn connection message. When you reach out, always send a short, personalized note. Mention where you met them (at a career fair, in a class) or explain why you’re interested in connecting (“I saw your post on [topic] and found it really insightful”).
Join Relevant Groups
Search for and join LinkedIn groups related to your major or industry. Participating in discussions and commenting on posts is a great way to get noticed by other professionals and build connections.
Engage and Share
Don’t just be a passive observer. Like, comment on, and share posts from professionals you follow. Better yet, create your own content! Share updates on projects you’ve completed, articles you’ve found interesting, or insights you’ve gained from a class or internship. This showcases your expertise and passion for your field.
What to Say When You Connect
One of the biggest hurdles is the fear of not knowing what to say. Here are some examples to help you start a conversation, whether it’s through email or on a voicemail:
Email or LinkedIn Message (to a professor or professional)
“Hello [Name], my name is [Your Name], and I am a [Your Major] student at [Your University]. I recently attended your lecture/read your article/am in your class, and I was particularly interested in [Specific Topic]. I would love to learn more about your career path and would be grateful for the opportunity to connect for 15 minutes at your convenience.”
Voicemail (to an alumnus or company contact)
“Hi [Name], this is [Your Name], a student at [Your University]. I got your name from [Referral Name/Platform]. I’m a [Your Major] student and am so impressed with your work at [Company]. I’d love to learn more about [Specific Topic] and would appreciate the opportunity to chat for a few minutes. You can reach me at [Your Phone Number] or by email at [Your Email Address]. Thank you!”
Tamping Down on Anxiety and Making the Ask
The thought of reaching out can be nerve-wracking, but it’s important to remember that most people are happy to help a student who is eager to learn.
Start small
Begin with low-stakes connections, like a professor you already know well or a peer in a study group.
Focus on learning, not a job
Frame your outreach as an opportunity to learn from their experience, not to ask for a job. This takes the pressure off both you and them.
Rejection is not personal
Not everyone will be able to respond, and that’s okay! It’s not a reflection on you. Just move on to the next person on your list.
Prepare your questions
Having a few thoughtful questions ready will help the conversation flow and boost your confidence.
Access support
Still feeling uncomfortable? Tap resources on your campus, such as the career center or counseling staff, who can share communication strategies to help you build your network. And if you start feeling overwhelmed, self-care options can really make a difference.
When You Build Your Network, You Build Your Future
Your professional network is a valuable asset that will grow with you throughout your career. By taking a proactive approach to building connections now, you’re not just expanding your circle; you’re building a foundation of support, mentorship, and opportunity that will serve you long after you’ve graduated. Start small, be authentic, and remember that every new connection is an investment in your future.
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