Seven People to Network With in College

Networking in college can sound intimidating. However, some of your most valuable connections can start much closer to home: the professor whose class you enjoyed, the upperclassman who knows which internship programs are worth applying for, or the recent alum who remembers what it was like to figure out what comes next.

College gives you plenty of opportunities to meet people who can offer advice, share their experiences, and help you discover new possibilities along the way. You don’t need hundreds of connections to build a strong network. Start with the people already around you, and be open to meeting a few new ones along the way.

Here are seven people worth getting to know during college:

1.  Professors

Since you’ll spend an entire semester—and sometimes multiple classes—with your professors, they can be valuable connections throughout college. Many have professional networks, conduct research, work with organizations, or remain active in their industries.

Building these relationships gives you insight into your field and opens doors you might not find on your own. They may also introduce you to professionals, point you toward opportunities, or serve as a reference later in your college career.

Don’t limit yourself to faculty within your major. Some of the instructors who make the biggest impact may teach a general education course, an elective, or even a class a friend recommended. A conversation with someone outside your area of study could introduce you to a new subject, offer a different perspective on your career, or develop into a meaningful mentorship.

Related:  Building Lasting Relationships with College Professors

2. Career Advisers

Whether you’re trying to figure out what you want to do after graduation, looking for an internship, or simply curious about where your major could take you, career advisers can help you explore your options. They may help you identify career paths, find internships and other experiential opportunities, build your résumé, prepare for interviews, or connect with employers and alumni in your field.

Think of your career adviser as someone you can check in with along the way. As your interests and goals change, they can help you figure out what to pursue and what steps to take next.

Related:  Finding Success Through Career Services: An Impact Story

3. Classmates and Peers in Your Major

It’s easy to think of the people sitting next to you in class as just classmates. But, over time, they could become your future coworkers, collaborators, or professional connections.

Get to know your classmates beyond group projects and class discussions. Join a student organization related to your interests, attend events within your major, or start a conversation with someone whose career interests are different from your own. You may learn something from their experiences or discover an area of your field you hadn’t considered.

These relationships can be some of the most natural connections you make in college because you’re learning and figuring things out together. Even if you take different paths after graduation, the people you meet along the way can become part of your professional network for years to come.

4. Recent Alumni (One to Five Years Out)

Recent alumni—especially those who graduated within the last one to five years—offer a useful perspective because they were in your position not too long ago.

They’re often still figuring things out themselves, too. They may be able to share how they found their first internship, what they wish they had done differently in college, or what the transition from student to professional was really like. And, even if they don’t have exactly the answer or advice you were looking for, talking with someone who has recently been where you are can offer some reassurance. Sometimes, it helps just to hear that someone else has had the same questions.

5. Industry Professionals

You may not have to look far to meet professionals working in the field in which you are  interested. Colleges regularly bring industry professionals to campus for guest lectures, panels, career fairs, workshops, and other events.

Keep an eye on your college’s event calendar and look for speakers or topics that genuinely interest you. These events can make networking feel a little easier because you already have something to talk about.

If someone takes the time to visit your campus or speak with students, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself. You don’t need to have the perfect question or a specific request; simply starting a conversation is enough to create a connection worth continuing.

 6. Upperclassmen

Upperclassmen have firsthand experience with many of the things you’re still figuring out—from choosing classes and finding internships to getting involved in student organizations or studying abroad. They can tell you what they tried, what worked for them, and what they wish they had known sooner.

They also offer something different from a professor or career adviser: the perspective of someone who is currently going through the college experience themselves. Ask them what opportunities they’ve taken advantage of, what they wish they had done sooner, or what they would recommend to someone in your year.

Sometimes, the person who can give you the most useful advice is only a few years ahead of you.

7. Internship Supervisors and Coworkers

An internship can help you gain experience, but it can also introduce you to people who become part of your professional network.

Take the time to get to know your supervisors and coworkers. They get to see you in a professional setting and learn about your strengths, work ethic, and how you approach new challenges. You may also learn from the way they work and gain a better understanding of what you want—or don’t want—in your own career.

The relationship doesn’t have to end when your internship does. Stay in touch, share an occasional update about what you’re working on, or reach out when you have a genuine reason to reconnect.

Rather than viewing an internship only as a path to a job, think of it as an opportunity to build relationships with people who have seen you grow and can offer advice as you take your next steps.

Building Your Network at St. John’s

At St. John’s University, networking can start with the people you meet in class, the professors who encourage you to explore your interests, and the alumni who share their experiences and advice.

Through career services, campus events, internships, and opportunities to connect with alumni, students can begin building relationships that support their goals during college and beyond.

You never know which conversation might lead to a new opportunity. Start by getting involved, asking questions, and making the most of the people and resources available to you at St. John’s.

For more on the topic, read our blog post on 6 Networking Tips Every College Student Should Know.