NTFB Guide: Networking for Students

It is never to early to start networking. If you are a student and haven’t already started practising your networking skills you should definitely be looking into getting involved in networking activities particularly if you are planning to go into a professional or business position after graduating.

Networking can be an important tool for students, as it allows you to build relationships with people in your field of study or career interests.

Here are a few tips for networking as a student:

01. Attend events and meetings:

Look for events and meetings related to your field of study or career interests. Attend these events to meet new people and learn about opportunities in your field. Most universities will put on networking events with particular industries/fields to introduce their students to the business world.

02. Join relevant organisations:

Look for student organisations or professional associations related to your field of study or career interests. Joining these organisations can help you connect with like-minded people and learn about opportunities. Don’t limit yourself to university organisations, many professional associations have student membership (often for free) which can be a great way to practice your networking skills and also expand your network.

03. Utilise online resources:

There are many online resources available for networking, including social media platforms, job boards, and professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Use these resources to connect with others in your field and learn about opportunities. The pandemic has boosted the networking that is happening online/virtually and students should take advantage of this as well.

04. Be proactive:

Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Reach out to people in your field or organizations that you are interested in and ask if they have any advice or can introduce you to others. Networking can also be a great way to find a mentor or a job – whether now or in the future.

05. Follow up:

After you meet someone, be sure to follow up with them to thank them for their time and to keep the conversation going. This helps to build relationships and may lead to further networking opportunities in the future.

Remember, networking is all about building relationships and making connections. Be genuine, be yourself, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people and ask for advice or help.