5 Ways to Network

Networking

Networking is an important career development skill that is worth developing. In its simplest form, networking is about developing professional and social contacts, which would be helpful for someone who is exploring careers or searching for job.

Networking can help you to:

• Explore careers and jobs - Talk to professionals in an informational interview, through which you can gather information about a job, career field, industry, or workplace so you can determine its "fit" for you.

• Find a job - When you are actively looking for jobs, use networking to market yourself. By talking to people about your qualifications, as well as your positions and employers of interest, you may hear of job leads and other resources that you wouldn't find elsewhere.

5 Ways to Network

1. Your network is around you

• You don't have to look further. Your family, friends, teachers and seniors make up your network. As your Principal always says, make 200 friends. One day, this network that you made may come in useful when you need to find opportunities!

• Don't just talk to your teacher and friends about academics or CCA. Broach the subject of careers and university degrees and you may uncover new information that you never knew.

2. Set up a Linkedin account

• Linkedin is the largest networking platform in the world. Find out more here.

3. Approach an adult / senior for an informational interview

• Seniors who are currently in university are a trove of information. They know what the culture in the university is like, who are the best professors, where is the best food and more. And best of all, they will be happy to share all these information with you, only if you would open your mouth and ask them.

• Career personnel are also some of the best people to give you accurate information on what the industry is like. We understand that it is not easy to reach out to strange adults. Do start with adults that you are familiar with eg. family, internship supervisor, coach etc

• Find out more about informational interviews here.

4. Volunteer

• Through volunteering, you will get to meet like-minded people from different industries. Take the time to talk to them and you may find opportunities that you never knew existed.

5. Internships

• Internships are the best way to meet and talk to a career professional in the field that you are interested in. If you do well in the internship, you may even land a permanent job in the company. Even if that doesn't happen, if you maintain contact with the people you met through the internship, one day the effort will pay off.