Networking means building your connection of friends, associates and colleagues for mutual benefit. Social networking is an old practice and existed from the beginning of human history. People always aspired to make friends and become better known. This was an integral aspect of man’s social life .
Before the advent of the internet, man’s social circle was limited and depended much on physical interaction. The internet and social media have now made it possible for anyone to have a network of thousands of friends and acquaintances even without any physical interaction.
Today it is difficult to imagine a successful career or social life without internet-based social networking platforms. As you pass college and start looking for jobs and career opportunities, you will realize the tremendous advantages of being well-networked.
Your contacts will include key people who could provide you with invaluable career insights and even hand you useful leads to good jobs by connecting you to someone who can employ you.
It Pays to Grow Your Network from College
We live in an age where people are online 24/7. Social media has become an integral part of our lives. The physical world has receded, being gradually being replaced by digital space. Driven by digital technology, social media apps offer limitless opportunities to connect with people around the world.
By the time you pass out college, you should have developed good connections on apps such as Linkedin or FaceBook. Your profile should include your educational and co-curricular achievements, your choices and preferences and also showcase your skills. A strong profile will always stimulate interest in potential recruiters.
Why Networking is Important
Networking is important because it helps build professional relationships, opens doors to new opportunities, and facilitates the exchange of ideas and best practices. It can help you learn about new career opportunities and get advice from experienced professionals. Networking is essential for career advancement and can help you achieve your professional goals.
Building a Strong Professional Network
To build a strong professional network, you need to surround yourself with a variety of professionals, including industry peers, mentors, and colleagues. You can network in formal and informal settings, in person or online. Consider joining professional associations and attending networking events to expand your network.
Steps to Grow your Network: Start with People you Know
As stated, by the time you graduate you should be having sufficient connections to form a reasonably good network. An excellent way to start is to reach out to people you know. Make sure you post something regularly and also comment on other’s posts. Before long, you will be happy to see that your connections have begun to grow.
Your network can begin with your relatives, friends, classmates, and roommates. As the network grows, it will include your alumni, club or organization members, former and current coworkers, neighbours, and more. Once you have identified the career you would like to pursue, read posts/articles relating to your specialized field, send requests for group memberships and participate in group exchanges.
Be Open with a Free and Frank Mindset
You can never expand your network if you are reticent. The best way forward is to shed your inhibitions and display an open, free and frank attitude. Sometimes, you have to go out of your way to meet new people. Remember, you should not ignore friend requests from people just because they do not have a strong network or they lack contacts in the field of your specialization. You never know what benefit a particular contact can provide. The more people you connect with, the better.
As stated this is the “always online” age. Similarly, networking is an “always on” activity. You should keep on nurturing your connections and look for new ones, update your profile and post/comment on people’s posts. You should nurture your network even when you’re not looking for a job.
Look for Fresh Opportunities
You can probably join professional groups based on the industry or roles that interest you. There will be a subcategory for new graduates and young professionals in several of these organizations. Additionally, you might look for networking events or professional associations dedicated to under represented groups. Investigate a little online and get in touch with friends or former students who might be aware of opportunities in your region.
If you’ve never attended a networking event before, see if a friend of yours has comparable professional interests. You may feel more confident and less anxious if you have a friend with you. But keep in mind that you won’t feel anxious alone! Enter with a cheerful disposition, and you can be a winner.
Sport a Curious Mind, Ask Questions
It is not just about meeting people to grow your network. This isn’t the only aspect of professional networking. When both parties are interested to learn and support one another, professional partnerships are able to flourish. Therefore, make meaningful inquiries and learn more about the person you are speaking with, rather than concentrating only on yourself and your goals.
Prepare a few follow-up questions in advance to keep the conversation flowing. When in doubt, when someone asks you a question, rephrase it and ask a comparable question following your response.
To help you get started, consider these questions:
- Have you always been drawn to this position or field of work?
- How did you begin working in your present position?
- Which aspect of your job or employer is your favourite?
Follow-up and stay in contact
When you meet someone you’d like to add to your professional network, offer to exchange contact details, just like you would when you meet a new friend. Within a few days, send them a brief remark and establish a connection with them on social media. In order for them to remember your chat, tell them you appreciated meeting them and bring up a topic you covered. Any follow-up actions you may have discussed, such as arranging a coffee date, should be followed through on.
Being overly forceful or aggressive, failing to follow up with new contacts, and lacking clarity in your objectives are common networking blunders. By being sincere and real in your networking endeavours, you can steer clear of these errors. Instead of merely attempting to gather business cards, concentrate on developing relationships.
Stay Networked on a Long Term Basis
Building a network of contacts over time is crucial. Don’t only contact others when you are in need. That won’t fool your contact, or if it’s been a while since you met, they could not even remember you. Look for opportunities to connect with your network on a regular basis. Send a note to congratulate someone on a job well done or a promotion you’ve seen. Share an article you find that you believe others would find interesting.
Nurturing a strong professional network is one of the best ways to build your career. Start practicing your networking skills and you may be surprised by where it leads you!
FAQs on Building Network Connections as a Student
What is Networking?
Networking today means building your connection of friends, associates and colleagues for mutual benefit through web based social media platforms. Networking is one of the most integral aspects of life in the digital age.
Why is Networking important, especially for Students?
Networking is important because it helps build professional relationships, opens doors to new opportunities, and facilitates the exchange of ideas and best practices. It can help you learn about new career opportunities and get advice from experienced professionals. Networking is essential for career advancement and can help you achieve your professional goals.
How to grow your network as a student?
How to network? Your network can begin with your relatives, friends, classmates, and roommates. If you’re in college, connect with your mates and teachers. As the network grows, it will include your alumni, club or organization members, former and current coworkers, neighbours, and more. Once you have identified the career you would like to pursue, read posts/articles relating to your specialized field, send requests for group memberships and participate in group exchanges.
Who Should Be Part of Your Professional Network?
You should focus on the area of your professional expertise. Your connections can include potential recruiters, subject matter experts, former and present colleagues, and HR personnel in the industry you are working in, among others.
What are the steps to grow your network?
The following steps are a great way to enhance your network:-
- Start with your close family and friends
- Identify the type of people you wish to be connected to this could be the sector you are working in or the profession you are specialized in.
- Reach out with an open mind
- Look for similar interest groups to follow
- Send friend requests.
- Keep posting on a regular basis. Also, comment on other’s posts.
- Think long term
