Networking tips for students
By David McCabe
Often it can be hard to network, especially as a student. It can feel awkward or forced, and hard to start, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s important to recognise at its core it’s mostly just having a conversation, asking about things you’re interested in or things you might need advice on and sharing your experiences. As with everything it gets easier over time. Have trouble finding networking opportunities too? Here’s our top tips!
Uni Careers Service - Your careers service will post about events like insight days, careers fairs, talks and competitions hosted by industry professionals and companies, recruitment sessions, etc. These are great places to learn more about areas you may be interested in and find out how to get involved from an early stage
Societies - Your course society and others may invite guest speakers from industry or academia. Learn about what is at the forefront of these areas and meet like-minded students who can share what they’re currently doing and opportunities they’ve found.
Company websites & Social media - Look out for organisations you’re interested in and sign up for events like talks and webinars they post to get involved with them. LinkedIn is a good place to keep up to date with their different activities.
Independent Bodies - There will be National Societies/ Independent bodies that are related to your course e.g. Royal Society of Medicine, which offer links to industry, professional development and various events you can attend. See if your university offers membership as a part of your studies.
Gradcracker/ Target Jobs - These websites both have loads of companies which run online webinars to get to know them and promote other events they host. Join them, be interested, ask questions and try to connect with the organisers to learn more outside of the event.
When it comes down to actual networking, if you're worried about what to say or ask, think about what you want from a job or workplace and ask about their experience of in their job. Questions don’t have to be technical. E.g. How much variety is there in your role? What is your typical day like? What do you wish you’d known before you got into this job/ industry? What’s your background and experience?
If you have time and know the companies or people you’ll be seeing, think of a few things you’d like to know more about and do some research. It’ll make getting started a lot easier if you already know what you want to ask.
It may not be obvious but everyone you know is part of your network and it’s up to you to utilise it, your friends, family, colleagues, and Uni alumni. Often there are ways to build professional connections from your existing network. Whether this be from people you’ve met at a society event, your course, careers fairs or any of the other places mentioned in our tips. Talk to your network and look for those opportunities to build it.
Someone knows someone who knows someone who can help you get to where you want to be. You can start small, it just matters that you start!