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What are some possible ways that I can gain connections in my field?

I've often heard about the importance of making connections, but how exactly do you go about doing that? #career #networking

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Ken’s Answer

Hi Lera!


You are asking a very important question! Making connections (networking) is something that will help you in your personal and your professional life. 70-80% of people get their jobs through networking. Through networking you will be able to develop relationships that will be mutually beneficial and long lasting.


Here is how you can get started:



  • if you have a career in mind talk to your favorite teachers about it and see how they see you fitting into it and ask them if they know of people working in that career area whom you could visit to learn more about that field. If you are not sure of a career, ask your favorite teachers which career area they would see you fitting into.

  • talk to your school counselor about coop, intern, and shadowing programs relating to your career area which might be available for you. If you are not sure of a career area, he/she could arrange for interest and aptitude tests to help figure that out.

  • talk to the head of alumni relations at your school to see if any graduates of your school are working in that field so that you can visit them to see what the are doing and how they got there.

  • talk to the reference librarian at your local library to see if there might be professional organizations to which people in your career area belong so that you could go as a guest and meet people in that career area.


Begin a Networking adventure! It will be a fun and very interesting and beneficial journey!!
Thank you comment icon Thank you for the advice! Lera
Thank you comment icon Best of luck! Please keep me posted! I would like to follow your progress! Ken Simmons
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Paul A’s Answer

Hi Lera! Good question! One way is to google some key words in your field of interest and see what companies or names appear. Check out the some of the websites for companies that show up. Some will have contact names. email some of them. Tell them how you found them, say your interested in a career field like theirs and wondered how they got where they are. Be friendly, short and polite. Check you tube for individuals that have videos that interest you. Google them for any contact info and send similar email as above. Go to amazon and search for books and authors that are experts in your field of interest, read the book and send letter expressing how great you thought book was and your interest in that field. Ask if they have any advice. Search Wikipedia with your field of interest and see what pops up and do above letter or email. Check out these video link as an example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmK7gK52Qac
How to Clarify Your Uniqueness and Live a Life That Matters | Julie Moret | TEDxOlympicBlvdWomen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA Start with why -- how great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek | TEDxPugetSound Linkedin.com is a way to find experts in your field of interest also. The best on your journey!
Thank you comment icon Thank you. Lera
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Tyler’s Answer

Hi Lera!

That's a great question. Here are some quick general tips that helped me when I was in school.

1) Create a Linkedin profile -- If you don't have one, create a profile and try and connect with people that are in the field you want to go into. Make sure you Linkedin profile is geared towards the career you want to pursue.

2) Seek Out Events In Your Area -- When I was in school, I checked my school events board and also used Meetup.com to find events in the field that I was interested in. This is a great way to start meeting people in your field who are in your community.

3) Mentorship Community -- You can also join a mentorship community that allows you to connect with professionals who are in your field that are dedicating time to help out students pursue the career they are interested in. One resource that is helpful is Gradmor, since every mentor on the platform is required to help you out no matter your school or education level.

4) Alumni Network -- If your alumni network is strong, I would try and reach out to people in your field at your school. You can check with your alumni center or use LinkedIn.

Hope that helps!
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