LYNX LIFE LIBRARY

Are you trying to pick a career or major? Looking for an internship? Searching for a job? You can learn a lot by talking with people in that industry. This is part of a networking strategy that can help you throughout college and your career. But “networking” can sound off-putting to some. So, let’s talk about what networking is at its core: talking to real people about their jobs. 

Let’s say you are trying to find your career path. You may have narrowed it down to a few areas, maybe even a few potential jobs (if not, the Career Center can help you). What if you could talk to a professional working in that industry and doing those jobs? Would that be helpful? Even fun?

You might ask:

• What do you like about your job?
• What is a typical day like?
• How did you get started?
• What do you know now that you wish you had known when you started?
• What advice would you have for someone entering this field?
• Is there anyone else you suggest I meet with?
• And whatever else you would like to know.

You will be learning important information and getting valuable advice. When you’re done, you will likely be more or less interested in that field. Talk with more people in that field. Talk with people in other areas. These conversations can help you find a career that matches your interests, skills, and values. 

When you like what you’re hearing, you might ask if you could shadow that person for a day or half-day to get a first-person view of their work and the company or agency they work at.

If you are looking for internships or jobs you can rely solely on job boards, like most people do, or you can talk to people. Would you like to get a jump on the competition? Find out about an opportunity before it is listed online, or even when it’s not posted online? (Some studies show 70-80% of jobs are not posted online) Networking also helps you get an advantage that could make a difference in getting an interview. You can even get advice from someone in the field on your resume and portfolio. 

Network early and often. Be prepared to answer questions they are likely to ask about why you are interested in their career. Conclude any meeting by asking if they know of someone else you should meet. Stay in touch by letting them know you took their advice or met with someone they recommended. Because you have stayed in touch, your contacts might now reach out to you when they hear about an opening. The relationships you’re creating will support you throughout your career exploration and job search.

So how do you get started? We recommend starting with people you know. Think about family, friends and neighbors. Do they do the work you’re considering? And do they know anyone in that area of work? It’s worth asking. It can also help to begin these conversations with people you know to help you get comfortable with the process.

Ask your professors. Not only might they have experience in your field, think about how many students they have worked with over the years. Do they know of an alum working in your area of interest? Do they know a student who completed an internship you would like?

After you have asked the people you know, you can turn to professional organizations and look for professionals on LinkedIn. We offer a guide to networking on this page of our website: Networking and LinkedIn. And you can always make an appointment with our office using Handshake or by calling our front desk at 303-315-4000, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Get out there and talk to people doing what you want to do. They can help you figure out your direction, give you great advice, and point you towards internships and jobs. And that can make a huge difference in a competitive job market.