A Beginner's Guide to Networking

Before networking, ask yourself:
  • What are strengths and values that I bring to the table? Can they be used to impress or benefit others?
    • What are my strengths? What skills have I learned from my life experiences that I can put to practice? How can I turn them into a story that shows I’m the best person for this company, role, promotion, etc.?
  • What do I want to learn/get? This determines who you want to reach out to and what kind of things you should talk about
    • Who could help me to connect with those people?
During networking:
  • Make your request clear.
  • Ask questions that go beyond facts to the persons’ values, interests, experience, and insights:
    • Instead of: “What do you do?”, try…
      • “What do you think is the most valuable part of your work — to yourself and others?
      • What problems do you want to help others solve?
      • What aspects of your work do you enjoy most and why?
      • What do you enjoy least and why?”
    • Instead of: “What is your current role?”, try…
      • What roles and positions have led you to where you are today?
      • Which ones taught you the most?
    • Instead of: “Where are you from?”, try…
      • What places have you lived in and traveled to through your career or studies?
      • Which ones have had the biggest impact on you? Which was your favorite and why?
  • Build relationships at all levels: peers, supervisor, supervisor’s peers, supervisor’s supervisor
  • Networking can be about helping others
Networking For Informational Interviews:
  • Reach Out With Intention
    • Start with your existing network—friends, family, alumni, professors, and LinkedIn connections—to identify potential interviewees.
    • Craft a professional email to request an interview and schedule a time that works best for them.
    • Once a date and time are confirmed, send a brief follow-up message to reconfirm the appointment.
  • Prepare & Practice
    • Familiarize with the industry information and interview format beforehand for meaningful conversations.
    • Research the industry and interviewee to ask relevant, insightful questions.
    • Prepare a list covering job experiences, gains & challenges, and career advice.
    • Practice with a friend to refine your conversation skills.
  • Follow Up with Gratitude: Express your sincere gratitude and maintain connections afterwards for lasting relationships
    • Send a thank-you email or note within 24 hours.
    • Avoid immediate favor requests; focus on building relationships.
    • Stay in touch periodically to maintain the connection.
  • Maintain connections:
    • Reach out every few weeks or months with relevant updates of self or comments on their recent achievements.
Networking in Internships:
  • Introduce yourself to leadership
    • Seek out opportunities proactively to network with people at leadership.
    • Attend meetings, trainings, and social events to get involved.
    • Invite your supervisors and other leadership roles for coffee chats.
  • Connect with Colleagues: Get to know each other inside and outside work for enriching connections
    • Help and learn from each other in work for mutual support.
    • Meet casually for lunch or coffee out of work to deepen connections
  • Stay In touch: Nurture the relationships you’ve built even after your employment for a lasting network.
    • Reach out to your internship colleagues and supervisors one week after the internship ends.
    • Provide feedback, insights, and connections in return.

Your internship is a great time to start building your network, but you have to nurture those relationships even after your time at the company ends. Here’s how:

  • Remain connected to the people you met and interacted with on LinkedIn. The ideal time to reach out is one week after your internships ends.
  • Remember that networking is not just about connecting with the people senior to you. It’s also about maintaining your lateral relationships, like those with your fellow interns. Make an effort to stay in touch with them as well.

How? Be prepared to help each other when required. Introduce each other to your contacts, ask each other for advice, and try to connect over common interests.

  • Be Active on Campus
    Meet a variety of students, staff, and college networks through events and organizations for new connections:
    • Participate in student groups, sports clubs, or honor societies to meet peers with shared interests.
    • Apply for on-campus employment or research opportunities to build skills and expand your network.
    • Explore academic seminars, career fairs, cultural events, and social activities to connect with a wide range of people.
  • Connect with Faculty & Staff
    Build relationships with professors, TAs, and staff members for guidance and mentorship:

    • Use office hours to discuss coursework, research opportunities, or career advice with professors and TAs.
    • Network with staff from campus offices, departments, and support programs for valuable insights and connections.
  • Reach Out to Seniors & Alumni
    Leverage your college’s network to connect with upperclassmen and graduates for professional guidance:

    • Attend alumni events: Participate in panels, networking mixers, or reunions to meet graduates working in your areas of interest.
    • Connect via LinkedIn: Invite alumni for informational interviews to gain insights into career paths and industry trends.
    • Seek peer mentorship: Engage with upperclassmen for advice on courses, internships, and navigating college life.

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