Want to know why student networking is important? These are the 10 best-tested and approved tips you need to know about for student networking success.
Ever heard the phrase “It’s not what you know”? “It’s who you know.” Well, according to recent research by LinkedIn, a staggering 85% of jobs are found through personal contacts and networking.
As a previous student who understands the importance of giving yourself the best chance in a competitive marketplace, join me to discover more about what student networking is and, crucially, why you need to get started!
After learning about all of these student networking tips, you are going to be extra prepared and ready to meet some new people. Remember, not everyone you meet will become a friend; many of them will become acquaintances, and that’s ok. Not everyone has to be your friend.
Benefits of Networking for Students
First, we’ll hit the brief answer before we get into a few more details.
Student networking can help you:
Find out about job and internship opportunities.
Make industry contacts.
Get advice and guidance from experienced professionals.
Stay up-to-date with industry news and developments.
Ok, so with the mini takeaway covered, we can understand a little more easily why student networking is important. Let’s start by looking at some key points.
So what exactly is student networking?
It’s getting to know other students, making connections, and building relationships that can be beneficial for your future.
Here are some examples of networking:
- Asking for advice from someone in your field of study
- Attending industry events
- Going to career fairs
- Meeting new people at club meetings or societies
- Doing an internship
- Volunteering
- Adding profiles to social media such as LinkedIn
If you want to find out more about how volunteering can help build your network and add crucial work experience to your CV, head over to my other helpful article, 10 Benefits of Student Volunteering That Will Help You Stand Out.
“Getting to know other students, making connections, and building relationships that can be beneficial for your future”
Why is student networking important?
As a student, you are preparing for your future career, and one of the most important things you can do is start building up a network of professional contacts. It’s never too early to start!
When you graduate, you will be competing against other graduates for jobs. If you have a strong network of contacts, you will be in a much better position to find out about job opportunities and get your foot in the door.
Networking offers advice and guidance
Your network can also provide you with advice and guidance. If you’re not sure what kind of career you want to pursue, talking to people who are already working in the industry can give you some great insights.
One great benefit of networking is that it can become a valuable support system. When you’re starting your career, things can be tough, and it’s always nice to have someone to lean on.
Student networking will also give you an important competitive edge and help you make informed decisions about your future.
Find mentors and learn from professionals
Networking can help you find mentors, learn about new job opportunities, and get advice from professionals in your field.
It can also be a great way to build your professional skills. By attending industry events or meetings, you can learn more about your chosen field and hone your skills.
What’s more, student networking can also be a lot of fun! You’ll get to meet new people and learn about their experiences. Plus, it’s a great way to make friends in your chosen field.
So why not give it a try?
What are the benefits of student networking?
Here are my top 10 favourite reasons to get networking and start rising above the competition!
- Helps you find potential job opportunities.
- Gives you valuable experience and skills.
- Makes you more friends and expands your social circle.
- Allows you to learn more about different careers.
- Helps you make contacts in your chosen field.
- Can lead to internships or even job offers.
- Helps you develop confidence.
- Student networking can open doors to new opportunities. It’s an essential tool for career development!
- Networking can help connect you with professionals who can offer advice and mentorship.
- Can simply be fun!
Ok so here’s my next top ten of student networking!
This time, follow my hot tips for how to start networking straight away and make a difference in your career possibilities as well as potentially make a new circle of friends!
1. Get involved with your university’s careers service.
Your university’s careers service can help you make industry contacts and find out about job and internship opportunities. They may also offer guidance on how to network effectively.
2. Attend events and workshops
Events and workshops can be a great way to meet people working in your chosen industry. Many professional organisations hold regular events that are open to students.
3. Use social media!
Social media is a great tool for networking. LinkedIn is a particularly useful platform for making industry contacts and finding out about job opportunities. Twitter can also be useful for following industry news and developments.
4. Join a professional organisation
Joining a professional organisation related to your chosen industry is a great way to meet people working in the field. Many organisations offer student membership rates.
5. Attend industry events.
Industry events are a great way to network with professionals and learn about new developments in your field. Many events offer student discounts on tickets.
6. Get a work placement or internship.
A work placement or internship is an excellent way to gain firsthand experience in your desired industry. It’s also an excellent opportunity to network with professionals and make contacts that could lead to future employment.
7. Join a professional body
Joining a professional organisation related to your chosen industry is a great way to make contacts and stay up-to-date with developments in your field. Many professional bodies offer student membership rates.
8. Go on overseas trips
If you have the opportunity to go on an overseas trip as part of your studies, take it! Not only will you get to see another part of the world, but you’ll also meet new people from different cultures and backgrounds. This can be a great way to broaden your network.
9. Attend conferences and events
There are often conferences and events taking place that are relevant to your field of study. Attend these to network with like-minded people and learn more about your chosen industry.
10. Get a part-time job or internship
A great way to make industry contacts and gain work experience is to get a part-time job or internship in your chosen field.
This will also allow you to put your networking skills into practice.
What shouldn’t I do when networking?
When networking, it’s important to be aware of etiquette and not make any mistakes that could potentially damage your reputation. The whole point is to get seen and leave the best impression you can. So here are a few things to avoid doing when networking:
- Pushy or aggressive behaviour is out!
- Don’t try to sell yourself too hard.
- Badmouthing others is not a good look!
- Follow-ups should be done so you can keep in contact.
- It might be obvious, but don’t forget to say thank you.
Final thoughts on student networking…
So there you are! Everything you need to know about student networking! Go to any events that interest you.
There’s no harm in attending an event and seeing if it’s for you. You might find that you enjoy it more than you thought or that it’s not quite your scene.
Why not go to a few different kinds of events before settling on which ones you enjoy?
Don’t be afraid to talk to people, even if you don’t know them.
You never know who you might meet and what kinds of opportunities could come from it! Good luck and happy networking!
This post was all about understanding the importance of student networking to help you succeed when attending student events.
