Effective Networking as a Student
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Introduction
Networking is undoubtedly one of the pillars of success today.Even as a student, being intelligent alone is not enough to guarantee success.There are some additional ingredients to achieving great success and networking is one of them. Since networking is all about meeting and talking to people, is it then safe to assume you're networking just by sharing a classroom or one of Studyhomes’ student houses in Southampton with other people? The truth is networking requires more than the exchange of greetings to be effective. Here are some tips to help you network effectively as a student
1. Be intentional– Organic networking is great however it takes time.Effective networking is intentional networking. You need to be conscious of networking opportunities and be ready to take full advantage of them. Going around with an elevator speech memorized and ready to be rolled out sounds like a great plan, but let’s face it, you are a student and probably more worried about turning in the next paper by due the date. Also, you don’t want to be the weirdo that starts reeling out their strengths, weaknesses, and achievements within five minutes of meeting someone. An easy way to be intentional with networking without being a weirdo is to always try to make a good first impression. If you want to be intentional by treating every encounter as a potential networking opportunity then you cannot afford not to make a good first impression. Pay attention to your dressing, speak clearly, introduce yourself, give firm handshakes and maintain eye contact.
2. Take part in campus activities – Getting involved in campus activities has a lot of benefits. People have met their business partners and gained connections to exclusive opportunities just by being a part of a university club or group. The campus is filled with different groups and different activities that you can join. It is the hotbed of creativity, innovation and, awesome opportunities. Just like the bonds that you build in your Southampton student accommodation, the bonds built here last a long time and they are genuine. This is because they are organic, heartfelt, and built out of a shared passionand sheer commitment to similar causes which are often personal and mean a lot.
3. Be a team player – Nobody loves a free rider in a group. Group projects present an opportunity to know people, learn from others and share ideas all while trying to achieve a common goal. It is an important exercise that can prepare you for your career. So, whenever you are involved in a teamwork or group project, seize the opportunity to connect with your team members and work with them. Do not be an absent team member as this will make a very bad impression. Impressions go a long way in effective networking and it is hard to turn them around.
4. Initiate Connections – A lot of people are afraid to make the first move and I get it. But wouldn’t you rather be the person that goes after what they want rather than sitting around and leaving things to chance? Everyone likes confident people and initiating connections will give your confidence an extra boost. A good place to practice initiating connections is your Southampton student accommodation. Start by striking up a conversation with that student whose fashion style you admire and you’ll gradually develop the necessary skills. These skills can help you to be able to walk up to someone you admire and simply ask them to guide you through an application or even be your mentor.
5. Ask Questions – You will not have networked effectively as a student if you didn’t build a connection with your professors. One way to do is that is by asking questions, so do not shy away from asking questions in class. Asking questions allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the concept and then engage further with it. It is a good way to show that you are interested in the subject and you are willing to know and understand more. Professors love this and they are always willing to help you discover more about the subject and in this process, you will be building a valuable connection.
6. Rediscover social media – Students already spend a lot of time on social media platforms, how about you turn that time into a networking opportunity. I know that LinkedIn can be intimidating but really, all social media platforms can be leveraged for effective networking. All you need to do is to engage meaningfully with people and ideas on these platforms. The power of social media is so huge in the sense that CEOs, thought leaders, captains of the industries, and tech gurus are just a tweet or comment away from you. These are people that you will have to jump through hoops to get access to in real life. So, start using your social media to engage meaningfully with ideas that people you admire turn out and you will be amazed at how easy it can be to build a connection. It is also important to be a part of your university’s social media groups like career and alumni groups and other student-focused groups like Studyhomes. These groups often provide a lot of valuable resources and opportunities that can give you a great head start. One thing is important with social media though, keep all your interactions on the platforms professional.
7. Pay attention to organic connections – A lot of students wait for organized networking events like career fairs and alumni mixers to turn on their networking antenna. There is nothing wrong with this and it is a crucial part of networking but connections made in student houses in Southampton or wherever you live can be just as important. Organic networking is great because the connection is built naturally out of friendships and genuinely being an asset to people around you. The truth is you don’t know if the CEO of the next biggest tech company is right there in your hostel, is your classmate, or someone you regularly bump into at the coffee shop.
Conclusion
If you can pay attention to all these little things, then you are well on your way to cultivating effective networks that will propel you to achieve your goals as a student and even right after you graduate.
