How To Find Professional Network, Guide For University Students

Your impeccable technical skills and good grades in the university might not be enough for you to land your dream job. What you need to understand is that professional networking is as important too. But of course, we understand if you are not used to it. After all, these things are not taught in college.  

Don’t worry, we are here to help. In this short guide, we will share with you the most effective ways to build your professional network. Sooner or later, meeting new people and forming genuine connections will come to you easily.  

Use Your Professor’s Office Hours  

You might think that your professor’s office hours are just an avenue to check on your grades or to validate your schedules. But you can always use that time to talk with your professors and ask them about their connections in the industry. If you’re lucky enough, they could probably invite you to special parties or industry-gatherings. From there, you can introduce yourself and be able to hone a better network.  

Work On Your Personal Website  

Sure, you already have your resume and it’s perfectly formatted to professional standards. But you know what you can do more? You can build your own professional website where it’s easier for hiring managers or employers to look at your portfolio.  

If you’re a graphic designer, then you can just add your works in there. If you are a writer, you can place links of your previous and published writeups. Adding case studies could work too.  

Having your own website is your leverage, and your employers will be impressed that you created one even if it is not something that is required from you.  

Use the Power of Social Media 

With social media on the rise, you have to take advantage of it. You have to use it for looking for potential job positions. 

LinkedIn is one of the best platforms for this, but you can also use other social media pages to look for communities where you can join. From there, you could observe what these industry practitioners are talking about or doing. Use the information to do your research so you can share your insights as well.  

Before you know it, you are already forming good relationships with them because you can engage yourself in different conversations related to the industry.  

Watch Out For Events  

Nothing beats going out there and trying to do traditional networking where you personally approach the person and introduce yourself.  

But given that we are still experiencing the pandemic, we understand that events are already online. Join these as well. You see, it could be a great platform for you to send your professional website and be able to form connections.  

Who knows if there will be improved protocols for events. Small gatherings are already allowed in most places, and you can probably personally meet the people you’ve met online. It’s easier for you to start a conversation because you’ve already managed to establish rapport.  

Create A Community  

If you can’t find the right community where you can build your connections, then why don’t you start making one?  

From here, you can invite professionals and even students to join. Think of it as a platform for mentor and mentee. You don’t have to go big yet. Try to tap the university students first, and then ask your school board if it is possible to reach out to the alumni organization.  

Volunteer  

Volunteering is another great way to build your professional network. There are many companies and organizations that run events. But since they need a huge manpower, they open the doors for volunteers. Take advantage of that.  

You would be surprised how many people you could meet. Just make sure you have your business card with you. Yes, you have to make one even if you are still studying in college. You need to brand yourself as early as now so you can stand out from the competition.  

This is not going to be easy work, and you probably need to spend time doing social networking tactics. But at the end of the day, it’s going to be worth it. And yes, you have to do it as early as now.