Networking

JBVirtuoso · 07-11-2008, 11:10 PM

I see many references to "networking" on CC. I understand networking, in this context, to be placing oneself in a social position so as to be considered for the best jobs. But how exactly does one go about networking? My best suggestion is to just talk to professors and get to know them well, since they know many people in their respective industries. But I'm sure there are other better ways to network. How else can it happen?

tubachick · 07-12-2008, 01:57 AM

Bump
Goes along with my intersts too.

BCEagle91 · 07-12-2008, 09:48 AM

In one sense of the word, it is socializing with others. Sometimes it's your neighbors or some special interest or sport that you're involved with. If you're a computer science major and your department invites outside guest speakers regularly, you might go to those to mix with grad students, professors and the guest speakers. I went to one of these with my son this past semester and I think that he was the only undergraduate in the room. It was grad students, professors and a few interested outsiders. Now the grad students may have been attracted by the free food but most seemed pretty attentive.

After graduation, some colleges have systems that allow you to contact alumni for tips and help in finding work. They may know of openings in their companies or may be able to give you information about the industry you're interested in.

mitssu87 · 07-12-2008, 09:51 AM

your school career center or certain professional clubs should hold networking events, where you can meet people from the industry you're interested in. this is a great way to meet people and network. there should also be alumni events at your shchool where you can meet alumni. there are even students who send out mass emails to all prominent alumni in the industry they're interested in. a lot of pre-professinoal fraterntities also have great networking opportunities. at least from what i've seen at my school, very little networking is done through professors.

4321234 · 07-13-2008, 09:22 AM

know people and let them know what you want.

dis-grace · 07-13-2008, 10:32 AM

I have always found "how to network" to be a strange question, but then I like almost everyone I meet. My answer: Be interested in people. Be really interested in everyone you meet, and be genuine about this, or at least really good at faking it. Keep in touch with everyone, and if you can't keep organized, buy a little book or start a file to help you do it. If you're really good at networking, you will be able to do it without attending special events or talking to professors (though these things are surely helpful). If you are really good at it, you will be able to walk into any place (bookstore? grocery store? doctor's office? Harry Potter convention?!?) and walk out with a few new friendly aquaintances who want to get to know you better. When you consider the fact that every single person you encounter will have a large network themselves, it becomes clear that ignoring or giving the cold shoulder to anyone just because they don't seem important enough is not fruitful (as well as being unkind). Theoretical Joe Schmo may not be important in your estimation, but his uncle who loves him to pieces may be the CEO/Dean/President/Head of whichever place you want to find yourself.

lethargytm · 07-13-2008, 01:11 PM

You can consider family friends or friends' parents as networking if theyre willing to hook you up.

burgler09 · 07-13-2008, 01:29 PM

Instead of thinking of it as networking, just be social and meet people. That's really all it is.

oldelecdude · 07-13-2008, 04:32 PM

By being involved in your field you will network with people naturally. The kids who make a calculated effort to network come across as tools.

Northstarmom · 07-14-2008, 03:15 AM

Join organizations related to your professional interests. Be an active member, including doing the hard work of organizing projects. The more involved you are in the organization, the greater will be your chances of meeting and attracting the attention of professionals in the field.

Also go to conferences, workshops, etc. related to your field of interest.

Follow oldelecdude's advice, too.

JBVirtuoso · 07-14-2008, 07:23 PM

Thanks for all the advice. That really doesn't sound as hard as I thought it would be. I thought that perhaps networking might involve attending these grand conventions of random organizations and making all these special lunch appointments with strangers.

Easy · 07-14-2008, 07:53 PM

Being a pretty girl is an automatic networking tool--copy and pasted from a different thread on a different subject, a post I had made previously:

Quote:

As a personal anecdote, my ex-girlfriend had Wall Street guys bending over backwards to help her out with connections and the like after only having met her once in person; no resume or nothing. Our school was nowhere near New York and certainly not a hotbed for Wall Street activity. She worked hard and was smart, but there's no way a girl of markedly lesser attractiveness would have guys tripping over themselves to help her out.