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What Should I Know About College Networking?

Lauren Romano
Lauren Romano

When people graduate from college, they usually rush to get a job as quickly as possible. Many want a job in the industry they have a degree in, while some want to work in a different one. Either way, college networking can help increase your chances of getting a job after graduation.

After college, it is helpful to know someone that can steer you in the right direction as well as provide you with a glowing recommendation letter for a job. It can be quite beneficial to become acquainted with the professors at the college. Not only can they share their expertise that pertains to a certain field, but they can also provide you with a much-needed letter of recommendation. Professors should be some of the first people to have on your side, not only for college networking, but for possible career assistance as well.

There are many people students can use for networking after graduation, including people they meet in their classes.
There are many people students can use for networking after graduation, including people they meet in their classes.

When you know what type of field you want to work in after graduation, it is helpful to know a significant amount of people that are going to be working in the same industry. Make an extra effort to get to know people that are in classes pertaining to your major. In addition, join related clubs where there is an opportunity to meet people that can be beneficial to know for future reference.

Many valuable contacts can be made during a person's college years.
Many valuable contacts can be made during a person's college years.

Many students want to put off working in the real world for as long as possible. However, getting an internship while you are in college is an idea to consider. The experience will look good on a resume and it may even lead to a job with that company after graduation. In addition to college networking being done at your school, it can be done where you have your internship as well.

Networking can prove important when searching for a job after college.
Networking can prove important when searching for a job after college.

College networking can be quite easy once you learn the correct way to go about it. Being kind, working hard, and lending a hand to people when they need it will most likely get you a lot further then if you are just being nice in order for them to help you further your career. After graduation, make sure to have all of the contact information for as many people as possible. Considering how hard you worked to obtain contacts, make sure to keep in touch with as many of them as possible, even if it is through an email every few months. There is always a chance that one of them can come through in the future.

Discussion Comments

SkyWhisperer

@David09 - I have a different take. While I do agree that connections often open doors, you have to realize that employers want to see substance in a job candidate. To borrow a famous expression, they often ask, “Where’s the beef?”

I’ve been in companies where someone got hired just because they knew someone who knew someone, and within short order, we discovered that the new employee wasn’t quite up to snuff in terms of his skills.

I can’t tell you the problems this creates in the workplace, especially among other, more established employees who have verifiable skills but maybe didn’t rub noses with the right people.

These people often express jealousy and resentment at the new worker and it leads to conflict. So I am not saying that connections are not important. What I am saying is that make sure you bring demonstrable skills to the table as well.

David09

@Mammmood - Yeah, I agree with what the article says about internships. After graduating I got an entry level programming position with a small computer company.

It wasn’t an internship in the usual sense. From the company’s perspective, they were trying me out as a temporary worker, so it was effectively an internship even though it was not formally described as such.

Within a year I had acquired enough skill to become very successful in the programming language that they were using and they offered me a permanent position. It sure took awhile to go permanent, but it was worth it.

After that, it became easy for me to get other jobs with larger firms. Those jobs were good too, but I will never forget the humble days when I worked for that small computer company, sitting in a plain white cubicle for hours on end in solitude, pounding away at the keys.

Mammmood

It’s like the old saying, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” I’ve learned this lesson over and over many times in my life. After graduating from college with my English degree, I went on for further education.

While at school I met a guy who used to run an English school overseas. One thing led to another, and when he graduated he was offered a position to oversee a large national school in Asia. He remembered me, and gave me a call.

Within three months I was on a plane and spent the next four years teaching English in Indonesia. This was no small school either; it was comparable to one of the big international schools that they have in the major cities.

I guarantee you I couldn’t have gotten that job simply on my own. I believe that connections are everything in the job market.

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    • There are many people students can use for networking after graduation, including people they meet in their classes.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      There are many people students can use for networking after graduation, including people they meet in their classes.
    • Many valuable contacts can be made during a person's college years.
      By: opolja
      Many valuable contacts can be made during a person's college years.
    • Networking can prove important when searching for a job after college.
      By: michaeljung
      Networking can prove important when searching for a job after college.
    • Becoming acquainted with professors is a good idea for college networking.
      By: Estudi M6
      Becoming acquainted with professors is a good idea for college networking.
    • Some college students take internships that may lead to a full-time job upon graduation.
      By: seandeburca
      Some college students take internships that may lead to a full-time job upon graduation.
    • College networking often includes off campus meetups.
      By: Deklofenak
      College networking often includes off campus meetups.
    • Local coffee shops are a great place to network with fellow students.
      By: winston
      Local coffee shops are a great place to network with fellow students.
    • College students may meet new friends at a party.
      By: karelnoppe
      College students may meet new friends at a party.