Everything You Need to Know About Networking in College

Networking is a crucial part of landing an internship or job after college, and it’s never too early to start building your professional network. As a college student, you have access to a wealth of resources and opportunities to make connections that can help you in your future career. But, where do you even start? And, with the current situation of the world, how do you network effectively while staying safe? No worries, we got you covered.

First things first, you need to understand the why behind networking. Networking is all about building relationships and making connections with people who can help you in your career. These connections can be with professors, alumni, or professionals in your desired field. The key is to build a diverse network of people who can offer different perspectives, advice, and opportunities.

Now, let’s talk about how to network effectively. One of the best ways to make connections is to attend networking events. These can be career fairs, networking events, or even virtual networking events. But, with so many events happening on and off campus, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Here are a few ways for college students to find networking events:

Check your university’s career center website.

Many universities have a career center that offers resources and events for students to connect with employers and learn about job and internship opportunities. Be sure to check their website and calendar regularly for upcoming events.

Attend career fairs.

Many universities host career fairs throughout the year, where students can connect with employers and learn about job and internship opportunities. These fairs are a great way to learn about different companies and industries and make connections with potential employers.

Join professional organizations.

Joining professional organizations in your field can give you access to events and networking opportunities. These organizations often host events and networking sessions where you can connect with professionals in your field and learn about potential job and internship opportunities.

Utilize social media.

Many organizations and companies use social media to promote their events and networking opportunities. Be sure to follow relevant organizations and companies in your field on social media to stay informed about upcoming events.

Network with alumni.

Many universities have alumni networks that can provide networking opportunities. Reach out to alumni who work in your field of interest and ask if they would be willing to meet with you and discuss their career path.

Look for online events. 

With the shift to remote work and events, many networking events have moved online. Look for virtual networking events, webinars, and panel discussions that are being held by companies and organizations in your field of interest. These events can be a great way to connect with professionals and learn about potential job and internship opportunities, all from the comfort of your own home.

But, let’s be real, networking events and club meetings may not be your thing. And that’s totally okay! You can also network by reaching out to people through email or LinkedIn. You can connect with alumni or professionals in your ideal field and ask for advice or to grab a virtual coffee.

Virtual coffee meetings are a great way to connect with people in your field and learn about potential job and internship opportunities. Here are a few tips to make the most out of a virtual coffee meeting:

1. Preparation is key: Before the meeting, research the person you will be meeting with, their company and their role. This will allow you to have a more meaningful conversation, and show your interest in them and their organization.
2. Be on time: Just like an in-person meeting, being on time for a virtual coffee meeting is essential. Being punctual will show the person you are meeting with that you respect their time.
3. Dress for the occasion: Even though it’s a virtual meeting, it’s important to dress in a way that will give a positive first-impression as it will show that you are taking the meeting seriously.
4. Have a clear agenda: Make sure to have a clear idea of what you want to discuss during the meeting. This will allow you to stay on track and make the most of the time you have.
5. Follow-up: After the meeting, be sure to send a follow-up email to thank the person for their time, and reiterate your interest in their company and their role. This will help keep the conversation going and keep you top of mind. You could also send them a shout-out on Heyo!
6. Make use of technology: Utilize the technology available to you, such as screen sharing or recording the conversation to make sure you don’t miss any important information. This can also be useful for reviewing the conversation later and following up on any action items discussed during the meeting.
7. Share your Heyo profile: During the meeting, share your Heyo profile with the person you are meeting with so they can learn more about you after and stay in touch. It can also be a great way to keep the conversation going and keep you top of mind in the future.
8. Be yourself: Remember to be yourself during the meeting. Show your interest and enthusiasm for the industry and the company, and let your personality shine through. This will help establish a personal connection with the person you are meeting with, and make you more memorable.

Let’s talk more about how Heyo can help you with your networking efforts. Heyo is a professional platform that allows you to create bite-sized stories through video and audio to showcase your college story, skills, and experience. It’s a great way to stand out and build rapport with others. In addition to all that, Heyo also has a feature where you can send a link to your profile to potential employers, making it easy for them to see your skills and experience in one place.

Heyo also allows you to get shout-outs, which are like virtual high-fives, from previous bosses, coworkers, friends, and mentors. These shout-outs can be a great way to highlight the value you bring.

Overall, networking is a crucial part of landing an internship or job after college. So, don’t be shy, make sure to hit up those networking events, join clubs and organizations, and make use of professional platforms like Linkedin and Heyo.