Networking

Networking is all about making connections (interacting with other people to exchange information and develop relationships and contacts). Keeping in touch with a former teacher or supervisor, going to a professor’s office hours, talking with a family friend about your major, or making conversation with someone on a plane, are all different forms of networking. Additionally, networking is about taking a strategic, professional approach to resources and relationships. You can think of networking as a form of research into people and places that inform us about careers, jobs, graduate school, and internships.

There are many benefits to networking. These benefits include: (1) building confidence in communicating professionally; (2) exploring industries through an insider’s perspective; (3) identifying important skills and experiences for a particular career; (4) developing personal criteria to make choices about careers; (5) improving interview skills through professional conversations; (6) expanding your circle of connections in your field of interest; (7) learning about career opportunities with target employers; and (8) giving back by advising others.