The College Campus: Your Best Network

I KNOW I talk about networking a lot, but I wanted to share a few more examples of WHY it’s important, and HOW it’s so simple to do, especially in college.

Networking Opportunity #1: The President’s Receptions are being held each Friday on campus per invitation only, which have members of school staff, faculty and fellow students, as well as of course, The President. Although chatting with my student friends is always fun, it’s important to chat with the faculty. At this dinner, I caught up with someone I had met this year to help me with my landlord, as well as another Student Services faculty. We chatted about my plans (and lack of plans) for next year. These individuals know my face, know my name, and now know what I want to do. To confirm this, I followed up with a LinkedIN invite to those who have them, and say hellos on campus (saw them both today).

Also at this reception was someone high up in VSB, who even offered to have me send him my resume. He has a few connections in locations where I’d like to be, and sometimes is asked about jobs needed to be filled. I, of course, followed up with him, sent him my resume, and heard back. I hope to talk to him again soon about my thoughts as a Villanova student, being useful to him in return for being potentially useful for me.

Networking Opportunity #2: Meeting up with old professors is vital. I stop in about twice a semester to my favorite professors, just to let them know what I’m up to and how my job search is going. Bottom line: they work at a University to help the students. This last trip, I stressed my nerves about finding a job, and my professor offered to follow up with one of his past students to see if she had any opportunities at the place where she worked. Who knows if this will follow-through, but that’s one more person who knows my name, who I could have a conversation with, who COULD suggest me to her boss or someone else.

Networking Opportunity #3: Form relationships with people in Student Services, and maintain those, too. These people are generally the gatekeepers to those that are higher up, and are first to hear about most jobs and opportunities coming through the school. Last week, I stopped in to see one individual, and she recommended that I apply for an internship for next semester (which I already had) because she knew a few people at the company and would recommend me if I’d like.

I agree, this sounds a little ridiculous for a week’s efforts- but its all TRUE! Networking opportunities come from maintaining relationships, and in my opinion, staying busy. Any random acts of networking for my readers?