Networking guide
Making meaningful professional connections is simpler than you think!
Networking as a student or recent grad
Networking is often portrayed as something formal, intimindating, or only worthwhile if it leads directly to a job. In reality, it's about connecting with people, having meaningful conversations and learning from their experiences. You're probably already networking, even if you're not thinking about it that way!
Networking is an opportunity to exchange information and gain insights that can help guide your career planning and job search. By talking with professionals, alumni, classmates, instructors and others in your network, you can learn about industries, roles, career paths, workplace realities and the skills employers value.
You don't need to network perfectly to get started. Be curious, ask thoughtful questions and focus on learning. Over time, these conversations can help you build knowledge, confidence and professional relationships that may open doors in the future.
Remember…
- Networking isn’t something you do once; it builds gradually through small, consistent interactions.
- Not every conversation will lead to an opportunity or lasting connection, but each interaction can still offer value.
- As a student or new grad, you don’t need to have everything figured out - you just need to be willing to start conversations, stay curious and keep showing up.
Tips to get started
Begin with the people you know
A lot of students think they need to build a network from scratch. The truth is, you already have one!
Think about the people around you right now: classmates, group project partners, professors, past supervisors, even friends and their families. These people are all part of your network.
You can build these connections by:
- chatting with someone before class about what they want to do after graduation
- asking a professor how they got into their field
- staying in touch with someone from a past internship or part-time job
Often, networking starts in everyday interactions.
Reconnecting matters
One of the most overlooked parts of networking is your dormant network: people you already know, but who you haven’t spoken to in a while.
These connections can be more valuable than you think. Even if someone does not work in your target field, they may still offer useful insight, share advice, or connect you with someone who does. Opportunities often come through these indirect connections.
Reaching out again doesn’t need to feel awkward. Most people are open to hearing from someone they’ve already met, especially if you keep it simple and genuine.
You might reach out to:
- a supervisor from a past job
- someone you met at an event last term
- an alum you spoke to briefly
A short message, a quick update and a question is enough to restart the connection. You’re not asking for anything big — just reopening the conversation
Networking doesn’t only happen at events
Career fairs and employer info sessions are helpful, but they’re not the only places where networking happens.
You’re also networking when you:
- talk to someone at your part-time job
- connect with people during an internship
- collaborate on a project
- speak with someone after a workshop
Online spaces like LinkedIn can also be a starting point, especially when reaching out to alumni who were once in your position.
Keep conversations simple and real
A lot of the anxiety around networking comes from not knowing what to say. The good news is you don’t need a perfect script.
Start with who you are, what you’re interested in and a simple reason for reaching out.
It can be as straightforward as: “I’m a student in [this program] and I’m exploring [this field] and I’d really like to hear about your experience.”
Once the conversation starts, focus less on what you’ll say next and more on listening and being curious. Asking someone about their path, their day-to-day work, or what they learned along the way often leads to more natural and meaningful conversations.
If you’re not sure how to structure a longer conversation, an informational interview can be a helpful approach.
It’s about relationships, not transactions
Effective networking is less about asking for something and more about building genuine connections. When conversations are focused on learning, people are often more open and engaged.
Sometimes those conversations may grow into longer-term relationships or opportunities; other times, they may remain a one-time interaction. Both can be meaningful, as each conversation can offer insight, perspective and learning.
Professionalism matters, even in casual spaces
A lot of networking happens in informal settings, but that doesn’t mean professionalism disappears. How you communicate, show up and follow through all contribute to how others remember you.
Professionalism can be as simple as:
- being respectful of someone’s time
- showing interest in what they’re saying
- expressing gratitude
- following up after a conversation
Following up is what makes it count
The conversation itself is just the beginning. A short follow-up message thanking someone and mentioning something you found helpful helps turn that one interaction into an ongoing connection.
From there, staying in touch occasionally (sharing an update, checking in, or reconnecting later) is what builds a real network over time.
