What is professional networking?
So you’re in university and studying something you truly enjoy and that you are passionate about. Great! But now you’re starting to think about life after graduation and what kinds of jobs are out there for someone with your qualifications and interests. Enter professional networking. Much like mingling at a cocktail party with people you don’t know well, professional networking events are organized so that they bring together professionals working in similar fields or on similar topics. Although much more casual than a business meeting, networking events usually result in professionally themed conversations that allow attendees to make new acquaintances and potential collaborators for their businesses.
Why should I go to networking events?
There are a lot of great reasons to go to networking events as a student. Maybe you don’t know exactly what you want to do as a career. Networking with professionals lets you see what kinds of roles are out there in your field, what types of people they work with, and what they do on a daily basis.
On the other hand, if you’re way ahead of the curve and know pretty much what you want to be doing when you graduate you can meet someone who is already doing that job. They can give you industry tips, introduce you to others who work for the main companies in that sector, or even potentially become a mentor and help guide you along your way.
You may be somewhere in between the previous two mindsets: you know at least the sector you want to work in or the type of job, but you don’t yet know what specific position would match your interests and skills. At networking events you will be exposed to people with a wide variety of backgrounds who all arrived at their current positions via different roads. Discovering where they have come from and where they plan to go in their careers may help you start thinking about possibilities that had not occurred to you before.
Just make sure you do have a goal when you go to an event. Don’t just go because you feel pressured by seeing all your colleagues doing the same.
How to act at networking events?
First, you might be wondering what should you wear to a semi-casual, yet still professional event. Think smart casual. You definitely don’t want to come in a three-piece-suit (unless the event explicitly states this), but you also shouldn’t look like you’re on your way to the gym. For men, nice slacks or dark jeans, with a polo or button-down will be a good look. For ladies, a blouse or shirt and cardigan combo over nicer pants, dark jeans, or a skirt will impress. If you’re in doubt, just send a quick message to the organizers and they will be able to tell you the dress-code for that specific event.
If you are nervous about approaching people you don’t know, come prepared with a couple of interesting or witty icebreakers to get the conversations started. Maybe the event is in some building that has an interesting piece of trivia about it you can tell people. Or you can try a compliment about their tie or glasses. Just a small interaction like this will be enough to allow a conversation to ensue. After all, that’s the whole reason everyone is there!
Overall, networking can be an invaluable tool to everyone involved--young professionals or student who are just starting their careers or more experienced folk who might need a new perspective on their fields.
Check out some great networking events hosted by UNET and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to keep you updated!
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