When you initially get into university, the first thing that crosses your mind is most likely not “When is the career fair?” or “When is the first networking event? Most students I know aren’t thinking about their careers until their senior year of university. This really bothers me because networking is an extremely crucial skill if you want to make it far and have a successful career in any field. In this post, I will discuss the reasons to start networking, how to network effectively and how you can find out what networking style works for you.
In September 2021, I attended my first small networking event at York University. At first, I was very nervous as a first-year student who knew nothing about the corporate world. I remember the day like it was yesterday. I walked up to an information booth and was in awe of all the programs companies have that cater to students like you and me. It was a surreal experience with many industry professionals from all different backgrounds ready to give students like me a chance to showcase the skills and value I could bring to their company. This led me to question why networking is so important and what I can get from talking to professionals who have already made it in the industry. I decided to ask the new connections I made that day, and here’s what I’ve learned, which can help you set yourself up for success as well.
The Reasons to Start Networking
When talking about networking, I always enjoy referring to this image, which does a great job illustrating the benefits that come with networking from an employment standpoint. When students take the initiative to connect with professionals in their field, it can provide them with insights into industry trends, best practices, and some challenges people currently face in their industry today.
This Illustration does a great job showing how networking can favour students in the long run, as a study from Yale University reported that about 70% of all jobs are sourced and filled through networking. If you would like to learn more about networking, I Would encourage you to look at How to Land a Job by Networking. This is precisely why networking is a crucial tool for landing a role in your industry and securing a job in today’s competitive market.
More Reasons why networking is essential:
Mentorship and Guidance
Networking with industry professionals can give students valuable insights and advice from people experienced in their dream
fields. Students can also receive mentorship to guide their career paths, skill development, and the challenges of entering a competitive workforce.
Career Opportunities
Networking can allow students to discover jobs and internship opportunities in their field. Building a solid relationship with industry professionals will enable students to increase their chances of learning about job openings that may be less widely advertised.
Professional Development
Chatting with industry professionals can help students develop strong professional skills such as communication and networking. As these skills are not taught nor widely discussed in classrooms, they are crucial to success in the business world.
References and Recommendations
Creating a solid professional network early can allow students to gain great recommendations and references, which could enhance a student’s job application. When networking and keeping in contact with industry professionals, Your industry connections will gain an understanding of the type of person you are. This will make them more likely to vouch for you to their peers about potential job opportunities.
Access to Resources
Networking can allow students to gain access to a lot of resources that they may not have access to on their own. This can range from research opportunities, specialized training, and invites to industry-specific events.
A Sense of Job Security Post-Graduation
Due to a very competitive job market, gaining a solid professional network can act as a safety net if students face trouble finding jobs post-graduation, as their connections through networking can help them gain a head start in finding new opportunities.
Personal Development
Networking can help students break out of their comfort zones, gain confidence, and learn a wide range of skills, such as communication and public speaking. It also allows students to meet new people and learn from their different perspectives.
Now that you understand the fantastic benefits of networking, here is a guide to help students network effectively and make the most of every opportunity.
How To Network Effectively
There are many ways to become an effective networker, but here are some things that have worked for me while networking with business and industry leaders.
Find out what networking style works for you!
There’s no secret recipe when networking, as everyone is different; a style that may work for me may be ineffective for others. First, I recommend finding out what type of person you are (introverted or extroverted). This is very important because it will help you find the best networking setting for you. For example, if you’re introverted, you may enjoy networking within a small group and or small events rather than attending large networking events.
To find out, I recommend taking this quiz by Pro Prof Quizzes to understand better what type of person you might be. Pro Prof Quiz
Seek Networking Opportunities
Start by looking for small networking events specific to your industry in your area. This can be hosted by your school during their career fair. When you’ve found the perfect networking opportunity, set a goal for yourself; this could be something as small as introducing yourself to one person or gaining two new connections.
Follow Up
This is a very crucial step that many students miss out on when networking; the goal is not only to network with professionals but also to stand out from others and make yourself memorable. Following up also allows you to build a stronger relationship with your new connection, showing a genuine interest in maintaining the bond you’ve just created.
Moreover, after networking with your future connects, I recommend sending them a connection request on LinkedIn with a small, personalized message. This allows the person to see that you have a genuine interest in maintaining the newly created relationship and reinforces you in their memory as they have most likely spoken to many people during the networking event.
To Conclude
Taking the initiative to network with industry professionals early in your university career is a fantastic way to prepare yourself for landing a job and a great way to learn, grow, and position yourself for long-term success in your chosen field. Suppose you’re a student like me who, a few years ago, didn’t think networking was important. In that case, I encourage you to seek out your first networking event to see how amazing networking truly is.
About the Author
Evan O
I am a very dedicated and hardworking student who wants to not only show students the power of creating meaningful connections but also encourage students to break out of their comfort zones, allowing them to explore all the opportunities they can achieve by putting themselves out there.