Realize that there is a difference between a personal network and a professional network. Your personal network might be helpful in a broad search for opportunities, but a professional network is much more effective.
You have heard about networking for years now, but what is it exactly - beyond knowing a lot of people by name? And how do you get to know the people you are supposed to know to say you have a "professional network"? If you are a person who is not comfortable opening conversations with total strangers in a reception hall (if indeed you ever got to one of those receptions), you probably figure you will never develop the network everyone is talking about.
Let's define a professional network: A professional network is knowing people in a specific professional field well enough to be comfortable contacting them with a question and they will know who you are. Knowing who you are may be only through affiliation with an organization. The level of these professionals usually varies widely, some are beginning in the field, some have been there a few years and are in positions of more significant responsibility, and some have been there long enough to have real leadership positions. Often, your network will begin with one person somewhere in that continuum who can be a conduit to meeting others in the field. Developing a network that is not all in one organization is most beneficial.
1. As a PLU student, you have the benefit of attending the Career and Internship Fairs that are held each fall and spring. You can check the list of employers and meet someone in an organization in your desired career field. Even if the person at the Fair is a recruiter and not in your career field, that person can be the conduit to the people you want to meet.
2. Your internship supervisor and co-workers are professionals in the field who can be a key to opening doors to your professional network.
3. Many student organizations invite professionals to meetings to talk about life as a professional and how to be prepared to step into the career field. Take advantage of these opportunities to meet someone who might be able to help you get in touch with the right person for you.
4. Occasionally, employers come to campus to showcase their organization and the opportunities in them for graduating college students or students seeking internships. Attend information sessions and other venues to meet and talk with these people.
5. Professional guests in classes. Occasionally, a professional will be a guest presenter in a class. Take the time to meet them personally after class and find out more about entry level positions and internship opportunities.
6. Professional associations are all about networking. Many have student memberships that are more affordable (usually about half of the regular membership) where you can begin to learn what is expected of a professional in your desired field. Receptions and sessions these organizations hold are well worth your time to attend. You can introduce yourself and get the business card of others so you can follow up later.
7. Professional magazines and college recruiting magazines, such as Job Choices that is available in the Ramstad Commons, provide insights into career fields and employers who are growing and seeking quality college students and grads.
There are many more possibilities.
"Yes, but what do I do? What am I supposed to say? It's just too awkward for me." This is a common feeling for many students wishing they had the "magic bullet" that will guarantee they won't look like a fool talking with a professional. The answer is, be prepared. Here's how.
You need to be able to introduce yourself and it is good if you have a professional card you can give them in exchange for their business card. You will know who you will be meeting, at least a name and title. Decide what you want to know from this person and prepare some questions, just two or three, for them. To strengthen your confidence in doing this without stammering and "messing up," practice. Talk to yourself a few times until you have it down. Run your introduction by a friend or faculty member and ask their impression or for suggestions to make it better. Ask your questions of yourself and/or of another until you are comfortable saying them and you won't get tongue-tied in the middle of it.
After you have done a couple of practice sheets, you will have the process mastered and it will be easy for you. The easiest place to initiate this is at the Career and Internship Fair. You will be able to "practice" this on several employers in one day. You will know from the information on the Career Develop and Internship web pages who will be there and identify specific employers to approach. You can take a few minutes between employers to reflect on the conversation and prepare for the next.
This opens opportunities to initiate a professional connection who can be part of your professional network.
Online social networks abound. Professional social networks are rapidly developing. The best known currently is LinkedIn. You can initiate your virtual network through this site. These have become much more viable as a professional network over the past year.
The purpose of networks isn't just to get an "in" for a job application. These relationships yield much more when you stay connected. Here are some assets to having a professional network (taken from Life After Graduation; Terry Arndt & Kirrin Coleman, 2008):
There are some "rules" to networking, call it Networking Etiquette (also taken from Life After Graduation; Terry Arndt & Kirrin Coleman, 2008):
Your internship is a key opportunity to develop your professional network. Keep these tips in mind as you develop relationships at your workplace.