When it comes to exploring careers and seeking new experiences, one skill stands above the rest — networking. It's not about asking for a job or exchanging business cards, but keeping in touch with people you know and building meaningful relationships.
Step 1: Network
Why network?
Networking is simply being social in professional settings and building relationships. There are plenty of reasons to invest in relationships throughout life, and one of the best is to connect with people who share your passions.
Also, something you may not know—most job openings aren't even advertised. Despite this fact, most people spend their time looking for job openings on the internet. Getting out there and speaking with potential employers may lead you to realize that a large portion of hiring involves friends and acquaintances hiring other trusted friends and acquaintances.
That's why relationship building is so valuable. It's not about asking for jobs, but exchanging insights, offering support, and creating a community where people want to help one another.
Identify your current network
Surprise, you already have a network! You're always building relationships with people around you. People you meet in class, at work, at events, and in student groups can all be in your network. It's how much you invest in them that matters.
Take a couple of minutes to identify people who are already in your network. Think about people you might go to for advice. This might be family members, classmates, former employers, current or past teachers, co-workers, people you met at events, or anyone you've connected with before. Who can you start contacting now?Make new connections
Expanding your network opens the door to new opportunities, fresh perspectives, and valuable connections that can support your personal and professional growth. Some ways you can make new professional connections:
Do you have a course you particularly enjoy? Visit your instructor's office hours! Share your academic and career goals, and ask about their own interests. Faculty are already well-connected on campus and can make simple referrals to another faculty member who shares your interest. Graduate students, teaching assistants, and upper-class students may also know 'the best person to talk to' about your area of interest.
The Walter Center holds a Career and Internship Fair each fall and spring, along with many other networking and career events throughout the year. Other career offices at IU also host events that are open to all students. Use Handshake to find upcoming events.
It’s easy to network through opportunities you’re already pursuing or involved in. Student groups and activities like volunteering naturally attract people with similar interests. Explore Beinvolved, the College Experience finder, and the Bloomington Volunteer Network and find something new to try out.
Career chats are one of the best ways to learn what the world of work is really like and help you expand your network at the same time. Career chats are not a place to ask for a job or internship, but rather a fact-finding mission to learn about the career, industry, and company you are interested in. Career chats are twenty-to-thirty-minute conversations between you and a professional working in a field that interests you. You can ask questions about their background and what led them to their current position. You might also ask about the culture of their organization and any advice they have for entering the field.
Career chats are a great way to expand your network while learning more about careers, industries, and companies that interest you. You might be nervous at first, but it gets easier as you talk to more people and get more practice. Many professionals are happy to share information about their jobs or the industry. You just have to ask!
You can use LinkedIn and the Walter Center Success Network to search for IU alumni or other professionals that would be interesting to chat with and learn from.Keep up with your network
Networking is a two-way street. In meaningful relationships, there will be an open line of communication and both parties will want to help each other. This may mean you:
- Give updates as you progress in your career journey
- Share insight and useful resources
- Offer to use your expertise to help them and answer questions they may have
Ask the experts
Career coaches are expert networkers and valuable allies who can help you explore what effective networking looks like for you.
Make an appointment