Keynote speaker and bestselling author, Tim Sanders, once said, “Your network is your net worth.”
Networking is all about building connections with individuals in your related field. These relationships can help you reach your goals and aid in career development. As college students, we are often told the importance of networking, but we are never taught the steps it takes to create our network. Here are some tips and tools readily available for college students looking to build their network.
Join campus organizations
With over 400 student organizations at Texas State University, there are constant opportunities for students to connect with other Bobcats. The student organizations include academic, religious, professional, multicultural, political, sports, Greek, and more. Oftentimes, student organizations will have guest speakers, providing another great connection resource. Making connections with students who have similar interests can be a great way to build your network.
Get on LinkedIn
If you’re not enrolled in LinkedIn already—you are missing out on the world’s largest professional networking website. Not to mention, it’s free! When creating your profile, it is important to include previous experiences, skills, education, and an about section. Creating a descriptive profile will help future connections better understand your personality and skill level. LinkedIn is a great way to connect with friends, family, work colleagues, professors, classmates, and potential employers. You can join LinkedIn interest groups to ask questions, participate in discussions, and share job opportunities with others.
Attend networking events
While Texas State hosts frequent opportunities for students to get involved on campus, social career events can be a quick and easy way to make connections. Career Services hosts multiple workshops, job fairs, and events helpful to students preparing for job searches and creating career plans. There are virtual events intended to provide professional industry knowledge, offer guidance through the job search process, and connect students with potential employers. Whether it’s a career-based event or not, getting involved with the events on campus can broaden your network and enhance current relationships.
Visit Career Services
While Career Services hosts social events throughout the semester, they have additional resources on their website. They can help connect students with companies in their related field and assist in finding job openings, work study, and internships. Their services are useful to students looking to improve their network by getting in touch with businesses and potential employers.
There are countless opportunities to use networking to your advantage. Hopefully, these tips will help you jumpstart a successful career.
Kadence MaKenna is a student creative copywriter for IT Marketing and Communications.
