Career Networking Tips for College Students

Career Networking Tips for College StudentsCareer Networking Tips for College StudentsAlthough the college experience is largely about academics, those formative years of higher education are also a prime time to jump-start your professional development. If you make smart moves while youre still an undergraduate, youll have an easier experience finding a job after graduation.Up your networking game during college with these strategies. Utilize Your Schools Career Services Your first stop should be your collegescareer services office. Dont end your college career without taking advantage of the assistance you can get through your school - from resume help to alumni networking,your campus career services is a great way to jump-start your job search, from the first year to the last. Your career office is there to help, and best of all, the services available through it are all already paid for by your tuition. Actively Engage in Your Classes When it comes to classes relevant to your major, dont just sit in the back with your eyes half-closed and only one ear open. Make yourself known to the professor sit up front, ask questions, and attend the professors office hours. bedrngnis only will this likely help your grade, but it will also lead to establishing a positive relationship. Professors often have tons of connections, from colleagues in the field to former students, making them a valuable resource during your job search later on. Plus, youll be grateful for the relationship if you have to ask a professor for a reference letter. Reach out to Other Faculty and Staff Dont limit yourself to professors that you have classes with. If theres somebody in your department who you think might be able to offer career advice or help you land an internship or a job, you have nothing to lose by shooting him or her a friendly email and asking to arrange a time to meet casually and chat about your career path. Use LinkedIn Once youve made those connections, keep them. LinkedIn is a great way to stay in touch with professional contacts, so ensure you make an active effort to keep your profile updated. Setting up a ?personal websiteis another good addition to your online presence. Talk to Recent Graduates Although professors and professionals are valuable resources for advice, people who are a few years out of school are helpful, too. After all, job searching has changed a lot even in the past decade, so talking to people who are fresh in the work world can bring a whole new perspective to your job search. In addition, LinkedIn has a tool which users can use toaccess employment informationfor alumni from their college. Take Advantage of Networking Events If your college offers alumni networking events, make an effort to attend - and be serious about it. Dress the part, and carry a few resumes with you too, because you never know who you might encounter. Keep your eye out for profession-specific events or job fairs in your area, too. Heres how to make the most out ofcollege alumni networking events, and how to start a conversation with the people you meet. Attend as many other professional networking events as you have time for. Do an Internship Aninternship gets your foot in the door- and even if it doesnt end in a job at that specific company, it can connect you with other opportunities, as well as serving as a reference source in the future. So, even if you are unpaid, dont just treat your internship as a resume filler. Take it seriously, do your best, and youll thank yourself after graduation. Ask for an Informational Interview Want to connect with someone at your internship, a professor, or even someone in your field that you admire? Request aninformational interviewto find out about what they do and how they got there. This can even take place via email or on the phone. Either way, establishing contacts - and maintaining them - creates valuable connections when it comes time to launch your career. Connect with Your Company of Choice on Social Media Do youdream of working for a specific company? Make a point to follow them on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest. Not only does this imply your interest in a future opportunity, but its a good way to keep track of job openings. For example, some employers have a specific Twitter account for job opportunities, and many companies- small and large- post about when theyre hiring on their social media pages.