Education & Career Trends: October 1, 2024
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
- Excerpts are taken from an article published on economictimes.indiatimes.com.
Networking is a highly valuable tool for experiencing growth in your career, no matter which industry or field you wish to enter. Freshers are always told to establish a professional network but nobody tells them precisely how to do that. Once you work for a few years, you organically form numerous connections that help you advance in your career.
There are multiple channels for college students to connect with experienced individuals as well as industry veterans, and engage in illuminating interactions.
All they need is some guidance on where and how exactly to begin.
1. Use internships to professionally network
Internships are treasures when it comes to building connections. You can do internships to not only hone your skills and gain experience but also to establish connections with the right people. In an internship, you already work at an organisation. All you have to do is connect with as many individuals as possible – including fellow interns, trainers and managers.
In addition, look for mentors and seek guidance as they can navigate you in the best possible direction for your career.
Tip – Make sure to maintain the relationships formed during internships
2. Use social media, but appropriately
In the current highly digital landscape, social media is one of the most effective ways to form meaningful professional connections. Make a list of the renowned names from the industry you wish to enter, and then follow them on platforms like Linked In, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Make it a routine to check their posts and comment on them.
You can also send them a formal message on why you look up to them, your career goals and your abilities. Moreover, keep your profile up-to-date, especially on LinkedIn, and ensure that it displays your relevant skills and experience.
Tip – Never directly send your resume before forming a proper connection.
3. Participate in campus activities
College is the best time to grab innumerable growth opportunities. So make sure to participate in educational events and social activities, and enrol in clubs of your interest. That’s one way to build your confidence, widen your spectrum of knowledge and, above all, make connections with influential people such as guest speakers and sponsors.
Along with this, stay connected with your placement cell to know more about job fairs, as that is one way to definitely bring home a long list of beneficial contacts from the industry.
Tip – Step out of your comfort zone and sign up for campus events.
4. Start interacting from college days
A lot of freshers find networking a little intimidating. So they don’t want to land themselves in awkward social situations. However, once you start interacting with your professors, classmates and seniors, you learn to open yourself to fresh ideas and opinions and gradually develop the habit of participating in conversations with new people.
Besides, your professors can make you aware of the current industry trends and market demands, or simply guide you on how to plan your career journey.
Tip – Focus on building connections from the very first day of your college.
5. Contact your acquaintances to access professional networks
When you are planning to develop a professional network and you are a little hesitant to connect with new people, start by contacting some people you already know, for example, family members.
Tip – Spread the word to your connections about your plan to build a network.
Forming a strong professional network is not as easy as it sounds for freshers. It’s a continuous process that constantly demands your time and effort.
Maintaining professional relationships is just as important as forming them. So, remember to always stay connected.
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Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet
Spotting Red Flags in Your Interview Process
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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