Why Should I Network as a College Student?
You’ve done it! You’re going to go back to college. But everyone keeps talking about networking. You wonder why would you need to network when you’re a prospective college student and not someone established in your industry. But networking is not just for long-time professionals. It’s about building professional connections in and outside of your industry and working to help others in your area.
You Should Network for Employment Opportunities
Although you’re in school now, you won’t always be. Starting to network now lets you become familiar with the people you may work with or for after you graduation. Although there are no guarantees, chances are once you walk across the stage, you’ll have better odds of finding work.
When you know people in your industry it can be easier to find open positions. You might even be acquainted with a few of your prospective co-workers. Of course, you’ll still have to do some leg work, but having connections inside the industry can be very helpful when looking to advance your career and find a job with another organization.
You Should Network for Business
This is not going to apply for all businesses, but can be extremely applicable if you’re in business for yourself. Say you are a certified public accountant after earning your degree in accounting. You want to go into business for yourself, but to do that you’ll need clients. You can meet clients at general networking events.
That restaurant that just opened down the street? They need someone to help them file their taxes. The hair stylist who works out of her home? She has questions about hiring her first employee. Meeting these clients, and making a good impression on them, could lead to work for your business.
You Should Network for Social Connections
Everyone needs to talk to someone who understands them. Whether you need to vent about something that happened at work or you’re excited about a new innovation in your field, when you need to talk to someone who really gets it, you can rely on your network connections. Not only can you support one another day to day, but you can help each other brainstorm ideas and come up with solutions to problems.
You Should Network to Establish Yourself in Your Field
When you want to be regarded as an industry expert, especially if you are writing papers, books, developing technology, or looking to open a consulting business, you have to let people know who you are and what you do. This doesn’t amount to bragging about your accomplishments, far from it!
Networking allows local business people to become familiar with yourself and your work. Putting a face to a profession can be extremely helpful to those not in your line of business. For those who are in your field it could help establish you with your colleagues. Additionally, you could find a mentor if you’re just starting out and need guidance.
You Should Always Keep These Principles in Mind when Networking
Networking allows you to meet and become familiar with professionals in your industry. The connections you make could help you in your career, just as you could help others with their careers. The key to networking is that your connection is mutual. Just like any kind of relationship, it doesn’t work if one person is doing all of the labor and one person is getting all of the benefits.
Additionally, stay professional with your networking contacts. Avoid badmouthing your previous employers or your classmates and never delve into gossip. Also, don’t expect or demand anyone to do anything for you simply because you made their acquaintance. Just as networking can help your career, networking unprofessionally can hurt it.
If you’re interested in earning a degree in your field and starting your network with classmates and instructors, be sure to contact ECPI University today to speak to an admissions counselor. Our year-round scheduling and accelerated courses mean you could graduate in as little as 2.5 years for a bachelor’s degree or 1.5 years for an associates. Add ECPI University to your network and see where your connections take you.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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