Networking Tips: Great Ways to Network on Campus

You might think all networking tips are the same - but we're here to prove you wrong. In fact, since you're looking for an internship and you're on a college campus, the opportunities for networking are greater and easier than you think! Follow our simple networking tips and you'll be making contacts in high places and landing an internship in no time.

Networking on campus is one of the easiest and most effective ways to meet other people and develop professional contacts. Students, faculty, professors, visiting employers, and alumni, are all available and make connecting with others who share similar interests and career goals simple. The following are a few tips to make the most out of the campus networking scene.

Join Clubs

By joining a club, you are opening yourself to a new group of people who have similar personal and career goals. Whether it’s a Greek organization, a pre-professional society, an honors club, an intramural sports team, or even a personal interest group, being active opens the door to meeting more people. Many clubs have advisors, such as professors, local community leaders, or even fellow students, who have information or know people that can help you find an internship and make more contacts.

Talk To Professors

It never hurts to have a few professors as your friends. Besides having a different perspective and set of experiences, professors can give you both career advice and networking connections. Many professors have worked in the public or private sector earlier in their careers or know people in a broad range of professions. Whether you’re just bouncing ideas for this summer or looking to figure out what really interests you, talking to one of your professors could lead to a number of good things.

College Career Center

The college career center is one of the best on-campus resources to finding an internship or narrowing down your career interests. Career advisors are passionate about helping you and have the tools to do it. Besides knowing about the latest opportunities around campus, they have the expertise to help you with everything from resume advice to interview prep. An advisor can also help you manage alumni contacts at local and national companies, increasing your odds of landing an internship. Plus, if you're looking for more adivce, such as more networking tips or resume pointers, the career center at your school is always a great place to go.

On-campus Career Fairs

Employers come to campus looking to find candidates for their internship and entry-level positions. This is a great opportunity to discover opportunities, learn about companies, and make a direct contact with company recruiters. Come prepared and use these events to your advantage. For more information about how to prepare for and dominate your next career fair, check out the whole article about career fairs.

Use The Alumni

Alumni from your school have been in the same spot you’re in now – looking for career advice, an interview, and an internship. With alumni across the country and world, specializing in a variety of professions and fields, use these connections to your advantage. Alumni who choose to remain active on alumni lists are usually eager to talk about their experiences and find ways to help. Don’t be afraid or nervous to make the phone call – you already have at least one thing in common! Combining an alumni list with the knowledge of the career center can be a great tool to learn more about specific industries and even get a foot in the door to a variety of companies.

Networking Tips On-Campus: We're Almost Done...

As you can see, networking tips for college students are way different from everyone else. By using professors, career fairs on-campus, alumni, and even campus clubs, you'll be able to meet others, make contacts, and hopefully land an internsihp. In following our simple networking tips, you can increase your chances of finding an internship in your industry or career of choice.