2 answers
Aidan
Student
Charleston, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
146 views
What are ways to network and create relationships after college graduation?
Digital Marketing, Sports Media, Avertising
Login to comment
2 answers
Priscilla Stadnick
3
Answers
Updated
Priscilla’s Answer
Building a strong professional network after college can open up opportunities and offer invaluable guidance. Here are some effective ways to start creating relationships post-graduation:
-Tap into Alumni Networks: Many universities have alumni associations or LinkedIn groups. Reach out to alumni in your field for coffee chats, virtual calls, or events. Alumni are often willing to help and share advice with recent graduates.
-Attend Industry Events: Look for conferences, workshops, and meetups in your field. Professional events provide great networking opportunities and let you stay informed about industry trends. Even if they’re virtual, you can still engage with speakers and attendees.
-Join Professional Organizations: Many fields have organizations with chapters in different cities, offering networking events, mentorship programs, and member directories. These groups are a great way to connect with like-minded people.
-Engage on LinkedIn: Follow companies, thought leaders, and groups relevant to your industry. Comment on their posts, share relevant content, and engage in discussions to grow your online presence and connect authentically with professionals.
-Ask for Informational Interviews: Reach out to people whose career paths interest you, and ask if they’d be open to a short, informal chat about their work. Approach this as a way to learn and build rapport, not as a direct ask for job leads.
-Leverage Volunteering: Volunteering, especially in a field related to your career, introduces you to people while allowing you to contribute meaningfully to causes you care about. Nonprofits often have strong networks across industries.
-Rekindle Past Relationships: Reach out to past professors, classmates, and former coworkers. Reconnecting with people you know is often easier and can lead to new contacts through mutual connections.
-Join Online Communities and Webinars: Platforms like LinkedIn Groups, Slack, and industry forums host virtual communities where you can participate in discussions, ask questions, and connect.
-Consider a Mentor: Seek out mentors who can provide advice and introduce you to their own networks. This relationship grows over time, so start with someone you already know or ask within your network if they know someone who might be a good fit.
-Follow Up and Stay Consistent: Relationships grow with consistency. Follow up with new connections to thank them, share updates, or even share an article they might find interesting.
The key to networking is authenticity and a genuine interest in others’ perspectives and stories. Over time, you’ll develop a network that’s not just valuable professionally but personally enriching too.
-Tap into Alumni Networks: Many universities have alumni associations or LinkedIn groups. Reach out to alumni in your field for coffee chats, virtual calls, or events. Alumni are often willing to help and share advice with recent graduates.
-Attend Industry Events: Look for conferences, workshops, and meetups in your field. Professional events provide great networking opportunities and let you stay informed about industry trends. Even if they’re virtual, you can still engage with speakers and attendees.
-Join Professional Organizations: Many fields have organizations with chapters in different cities, offering networking events, mentorship programs, and member directories. These groups are a great way to connect with like-minded people.
-Engage on LinkedIn: Follow companies, thought leaders, and groups relevant to your industry. Comment on their posts, share relevant content, and engage in discussions to grow your online presence and connect authentically with professionals.
-Ask for Informational Interviews: Reach out to people whose career paths interest you, and ask if they’d be open to a short, informal chat about their work. Approach this as a way to learn and build rapport, not as a direct ask for job leads.
-Leverage Volunteering: Volunteering, especially in a field related to your career, introduces you to people while allowing you to contribute meaningfully to causes you care about. Nonprofits often have strong networks across industries.
-Rekindle Past Relationships: Reach out to past professors, classmates, and former coworkers. Reconnecting with people you know is often easier and can lead to new contacts through mutual connections.
-Join Online Communities and Webinars: Platforms like LinkedIn Groups, Slack, and industry forums host virtual communities where you can participate in discussions, ask questions, and connect.
-Consider a Mentor: Seek out mentors who can provide advice and introduce you to their own networks. This relationship grows over time, so start with someone you already know or ask within your network if they know someone who might be a good fit.
-Follow Up and Stay Consistent: Relationships grow with consistency. Follow up with new connections to thank them, share updates, or even share an article they might find interesting.
The key to networking is authenticity and a genuine interest in others’ perspectives and stories. Over time, you’ll develop a network that’s not just valuable professionally but personally enriching too.
Crystal Vincent
1
Answer
Updated
Crystal’s Answer
Joining your college's alumni association is a fantastic way to build and strengthen connections after you've graduated. I've discovered that becoming a part of local alumni chapters can significantly broaden your network within the city. Furthermore, I highly recommend becoming a member of professional chapter groups. To illustrate, as a project manager, I became a part of the local Project Management Professional Chapter, which greatly expanded my network in that city. These steps can be a powerful boost to your career and personal growth.