Networking isn鈥檛 just for business professionals. Even before earning a diploma, students can begin building a network of peers and contacts. This can help you connect with other members in your industry and potentially help you find job opportunities after you graduate.
Estimates put as much as as being hired because of networking, even though into networking in the industry.
Creating and maintaining a network is important for all students, no matter your field. It can be especially significant for students in areas like听business听补苍诲听human resources听(HR), where you鈥檒l need听skills in communication, leadership and personnel management.
Networking will look different for each student. It might require a nuanced approach, particularly if you鈥檙e studying online rather than attending classes on campus. Many remote students use the LinkedIn庐 website as a professional social media site to connect with others without ever meeting them in person.
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Online students need to find a different approach to networking. In many ways, networking can be easier when you鈥檙e studying in person, since you might share a classroom with peers or other contacts you want to add to your network. While learning in person, you can easily interact with other people with the听same study habits, skills and career goals.
While there鈥檚 no replacement for in-person interactions, studying online presents its own opportunities for effective networking. For example, you can likely connect with more classmates through virtual message boards and virtual events than if you were in person.
Networking remotely is all about intentionality. It鈥檚 important to make time for it if you鈥檙e studying online, even if virtual conversations feel forced or artificial. Like in-person networking, virtual networking can help you when the time comes to look for a new job or opportunity.
How to engage in professional networking as an online student
Not sure how to approach like-minded professionals as an online student? Here are five tips to keep in mind!
Presentation is one of the first things that potential network contacts will notice about you. Even if you鈥檙e remotely networking with other contacts, it鈥檚 important to present yourself in a professional manner. This means dressing appropriately, using professional photos for social profiles and using language that appropriately conveys your interests and abilities.
Here are a few more details on how to present yourself professionally, even online:
Many aspects of your industry might change听Work hard听鈥 Demonstrate your ability to accept responsibility and complete tasks through a听disciplined, hardworking approach听to any project.
Many aspects of your industry might change regularly, including your company鈥檚 products and services, digital touch points, branding, messaging, team size, compensation packages or other variables. Stay attentive to your industry as you grow more experienced, and be sure to keep your network up to date as things evolve.
Reliability might seem like a simple characteristic, but it often separates veteran employees from people who might have trouble advancing in a particular field. Demonstrating reliability can make a big impression on your classmates and positively contribute to your network.
While it is especially critical for anyone in an HR role 鈥 since you鈥檒l directly influence other employees 鈥 reliability is important for students looking to enter virtually any field. Fortunately, there are many ways to exhibit reliability in an academic environment.听
Make sure your teammates know you can be counted on in group projects. By accepting and following through on your responsibilities, you'll develop a reputation as a reliable team member. Organizing a study group can also help, particularly if you've compiled study materials for the group.
As a student, networking requires more than passive participation in a class or course. You鈥檒l need to contribute actively to online discourse. Lending your voice, opinions and insight to an online conversation helps establish you as a thoughtful individual who might attract peers to join your network.
Staying active in online discourse also helps other students remember who you are, even after the class concludes. If fellow students have questions about the class or the coursework 鈥 or they want to connect with you after the class has concluded 鈥 they can return to your online conversations and find your contact information.
To network online, you also want to seek out virtual events. When attending virtual networking events, you are more likely to find like-minded individuals who are also interested in professional networking.
In addition to their responsibilities as educators, some online instructors also have years of experience in their industry. These same听instructors can be valuable network contacts听after your classes end, particularly if you impressed them with your skills and study habits.
Keeping in contact with instructors can help you build rapport and possibly gain a mentor. After classes conclude and you graduate from your online learning program, keep in touch with instructors who helped further your education. These instructors can serve as valuable mentors no matter where you are in your career.
Staying in touch doesn鈥檛 need to be complicated. Consider sending your instructors a regular career update as a 鈥渢hank you鈥 for their role in your education. You can also forward relevant business materials their way or ask for their advice when your career reaches a crossroads.
Even if it has been years since you last spoke with one of your instructors, don鈥檛 be afraid to start new conversations. Reestablishing contact can help you obtain new insight or simply add more people to your growing list of network contacts.
Your university鈥檚 social media pages can provide a wealth of information, including updates on school details, alumni programs and new courses worth your time. Fully remote students can also find value here. You can use school-related social media to interact with students in your class and keep in touch after the course.
You can also听share new ideas and gain feedback听from other students on any industry-related challenge. If you鈥檙e unsure which social media platforms your university uses, the admissions department can likely help.
Between social media and professional networking platforms, the online world is full of opportunities to connect. The trick is to leverage each opportunity to your fullest advantage, all with an eye toward professionalism and career enhancement
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