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How to connect and build your network in college?

I've heard about networking and I know what it is but how do you find the right people to network with? Also, what do you do after like do you write down their info and keep it somewhere safe in case you need it?

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Michael’s Answer

Hi Lia:

What are your interests and likes? What do you want to aspire to become ... make a future career? Do you have hobbies ... participate in activities like sports, play an instrument, etc.? It is recommended to write down all of what I just mentioned in order to determine, to focus and to network with those individuals who can provide insights and advice on your future educational and professional career path.

Network ... Network ... Network ... the more people who know that you are looking to pursue career opportunities ... the better your chances of learning more about the industry, getting hired, educational requirements, experience and skill sets to acquire, etc. Sometimes it is not what you know, but who you know including family, friends, high school teachers and guidance counselors who can be sounding boards and provide feedback for you.

A running Excel document, Google Sheets or a ledger can be utilized to enter all of the collected information from the people who you come across. The document should be organized to include the date that you met the person; the person's name, professional title and company; contact information like email addresses, phone numbers, etc.; notes from your interview session and any other network information to help you at a later date.

Do you have a particular career path that you have in mind? Is there a particular company that you are interested in? Shadowing is the means where one spends time with a company to learn more about the work environment, different professional roles, day to day operations, etc. This will provide you with a better view in order to map out your educational and professional career paths.

LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with professionals across various industries, related or not related to your own field. One can search and view a company's profile, available open positions, professional profiles, etc. Within the news feed, one can view postings and announcements from other professionals.

With LinkedIn, members can send InMails to directly to each other without being connected to one another. Professionals who are directly connected to each other can send regular LinkedIn messages to each other. Professionals who pay for the premium service on LinkedIn have access to the InMail service feature.

Directly from LinkedIn Help:

"InMail messages is a premium feature, and it allows you to directly message another LinkedIn member that you're not connected to. If you have a Basic (free) account, then you can only directly message LinkedIn members that you’re connected to. You must upgrade to a Premium account to use InMail messages. You can’t message a member if they’ve chosen not to receive InMail messages in their message preferences settings. You’re allotted a specific number of InMail message credits based on your subscription type. You can find the number of InMail message credits you have from your My Premium page."

"Premium InMail message credits can't be used to send InMail messages on Sales Navigator or LinkedIn Recruiter."

Hope this helps, keep networking and best wishes for your educational pathway and future professional career!
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Chirayu’s Answer

Building a network in college is an essential part of preparing for your future career. Here are some tips on how to connect and build your network in college - Attend events and join clubs related to your interests and career aspirations. This will give you the opportunity to meet people who share similar goals and interests. Participate in group projects and assignments. This will give you the opportunity to work closely with your peers and build relationships. Build relationships with your professors by attending office hours and asking for their advice and feedback. They may have valuable insights and connections in your field. Connect with your peers, professors, and alumni on social media platforms like LinkedIn. This will allow you to keep in touch and stay connected with people in your network. Attend career fairs and networking events hosted by your college or in your community. This will give you the opportunity to meet employers and professionals in your field. After meeting someone new, follow up with them by sending a thank-you note or email. Keep their contact information in a safe place and reach out to them periodically to stay in touch.
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Joseph’s Answer

Fantastic question! College indeed presents an invaluable opportunity to establish connections and cultivate an extensive network. During this transformative phase of one's life, individuals may form enduring relationships that could span a lifetime, both personally and professionally.

To maximize your networking potential while in college, actively participate in a diverse range of campus organizations and activities catering to various interests. By doing so, not only will you engage with like-minded people, but you will also broaden your horizons and acquire new skills.

Some excellent options for involvement include Greek organizations – such as fraternities and sororities – which often emphasize camaraderie, community service, and leadership development. Furthermore, campus support groups can create a sense of belonging, help you adjust to college life, and provide a platform for networking. These may encompass mental health clubs, cultural clubs, or organizations promoting inclusivity and diversity.

Joining student government is another worthwhile pursuit, as it allows you to work closely with fellow students, faculty, and college administration while advocating for policies that can shape your college experience. Similarly, clubs and associations specifically tailored to your major or career interests present ample opportunities to meet people in your field, learn from professionals, and establish relationships with future colleagues.

Lastly, consider volunteering for campus events, attending guest lectures, and participating in collaborative projects. Through such activities, you can effectively forge connections, nurture contacts, and make a lasting impression on those whom you may encounter throughout your life.

Remember, college is not just about academics, but it's also a breeding ground for personal growth, diverse interactions, and lifelong connections. By making the most of these opportunities, you are opening doors and pathways towards personal and career success in the future.
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Kayla’s Answer

Great question! Building a network is an important part of the college experience, and it can help you both personally and professionally. Here are some tips on how to connect and build your network in college:

- Attend events and join clubs: One of the best ways to meet new people is by attending events and joining clubs related to your interests. This will allow you to connect with people who share similar passions and can open doors to new opportunities. Also, don't be afraid to join a club that may feel new! You may learn a new passion you didn't even realize you had.
- Reach out to professors and advisors: Professors and advisors can be excellent resources for networking. They often have connections in your field of interest and can offer guidance on how to navigate your career path.
- Follow up: After meeting someone, it's important to follow up to maintain the connection. You can do this by sending a quick email or LinkedIn message thanking them for their time and expressing your interest in staying in touch. I'll admit, this is easier said than done, but keeping in touch is an important part of maintaining the relationship.

As for keeping track of your connections, it's a good idea to create a system to organize your contacts. You can use a spreadsheet and connect with them on LinkedIn so you can follow along with their journey as well.
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Jerome’s Answer

This is a great question. I’d recommend looking at this two ways:

1) What are you going to college for? There is likely an Alumni association where you can connect with people from that school and ask questions.

2) What is your goal with networking? If you are looking for general connections, chambers of commerce are great resources! They often host mixers, but they have networking hours where the goal is to simply meet as many people as possible.

I like to connect with people on LinkedIn right away and start a message to them. I reference some thing we talked about so that I not only have their contact information, but I have something to prompt my memory before I look to follow up.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. That is a good question.
In fact, college is good place to establish good people network. Having said that, I would not suggest you have to make friends and know the people intentionally for networking. Just feel free to know more people and establish friendship.
Below are my suggestions to know more people :
1. Actively engage with your classmates and professors of your major and minor
2. Participate the extra curriculum activities you have interest
3. Try to involve in the organizing committee if you have opportunities
4. Join the activities organized by student council
5. Participate the joint college event and activities. This also gives you the opportunities to know more people on other colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
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John’s Answer

Hey Lia,

I get this question a lot so I actually gave a TEDx on the topic (see link below).

People control everything. So networking is how people get to know you. Unfortunately, with internships and jobs, there is A LOT of competition so relationships are often how people make decisions. The best way to network is start where you are with people who have a connection to you (friend of parents, parents of friends, people going to the college you are going to or who recently graduated from there, etc.). My video takes you through what type of message to send, what to do in the meeting, and how to build a community through networking instead of just a list of acquaintances.

Best,
John

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMQQeV74H7U
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Giovina’s Answer

Student Council. Every college, university has one. They work as a board of directors on behalf of the student body and sometimes it's a paid position. You have to interview. You have to put in the work but it is by far the most rewarding experience I have ever had. I stumbled on the opportunity in college because they didn't advertise it but after a couple of interviews, I held the position of Director of Marketing and Promotions for over two years. Had my tuition paid for (and a tab at the school pub). I learned about the politics of education and how funds are spend. I learned how to fundraise, work as a team with so many personalities. Was invited to school events with faculty. And after all was said and done, it SHINED on my CV. The experience still rewards me today. Great memories. Good luck! Don't be shy - just throw out the ask and see what comes back!!! Be great!
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Gus’s Answer

Networking is a great opportunity to expand your career presence with fellow students and outside professionals. A great place to do this is at a college career fair, where outside companies will travel to your college to provide background on their business and possibly offer job applications. You can also meet other students at these fairs, which can be helpful in your major studies and possible network connections down the road. Go to your school's website to learn more about the timing and place of these fairs (some are remote now as well). Good luck!
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Shayla’s Answer

Hi Lia, This is a great question and one I've asked myself. Networking is a great way to interact with people in your field but also a good way to make lifelong connections that could lead to work enhancement or even friendships outside of a career. I am also in the prcoess of networking so I know how overwhelming it can be but, here are some tips that I recommended doing:

Shayla recommends the following next steps:

Create a LinkedIn account. This will give you the oppurtunity to showcase your interests, skills, and also a great place to create connections with people who have the same interests as you and can help.
See if your school/university offers career programs. Things like seminars you can attend, career days, and employees who can help you write a resume and send it to recruiters are all good options to look into. Highley recommend seeing if your school offers them.
Simply get to know some students in your area of study and join groups. This is something I wish I would have taken more seriously in school. There are so many networking oppurtunites within the community of your own peers. I hope these help , best of luck!!
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Ally’s Answer

Hi!

I wanted to touch on the "what do you do after". The best network resource is someone who you can chat with often! so keep them in your back pocket when you need them but try and foster a friendship/ relationship!

Networking has more to do with what they say about you! so try and make friend.
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Michael’s Answer

Hello! You've asked an excellent and significant question. I wish I had known this information when I was younger, but here it is for you. Creating and growing your network during college is essential for both personal and professional development. To begin, make the most of social opportunities such as orientation activities, clubs, and extracurricular events. Engage in conversations with fellow students, teachers, and visiting professionals on campus. Participate in networking occasions, job fairs, and alumni meetings to broaden your circle of contacts. Actively contribute to group assignments and study teams, as these offer great chances to establish connections. Use online resources like LinkedIn to link up with classmates, alumni, and professionals in your desired field. Building a network involves genuine curiosity about others, so pay close attention and be receptive to diverse viewpoints. Don't forget to sustain relationships by keeping in touch, providing help when necessary, and attending events. By actively pursuing connections and fostering relationships, you will create a robust network that can support you throughout your college experience and beyond.

Best regards,
Michael P.
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