HOW TO NETWORK EFFICIENTLY

1. Engage in classes. Making good fi rst impressions is one of the best ways to build

relationships with your peers. Knowing peers in your classes can be very benefi cial

as you can create study groups, projects together, and even network for future

colleagues.

2. Build meaningful relationships with professors. By communicating with

professors, you can learn more about future career opportunities and learn new

things in your courses. Additionally, having a good connection with your

professors can be benefi cial when needing recommendations.

3. Join clubs and organizations. Meeting new people in clubs and organizations is a

great way to fi nd people with similar interests. They usually include meeting guest

speakers and networking events, which can help with learning new things about

your future career path. It is also a great way to make new friends and attend fun

events.

4. Create an online presence. By creating a LinkedIn or Handshake account you can

show future employers your skills and experience. This can be a great way to

showcase yourself and connect with potential employers.

5. Attend networking events. At Virginia Tech we have many networking events held

by alumni. These events are a great way to fi nd employers and create a

relationship with them. By attending them you can get your name out there and

meet new people. If you are unsure how to fi nd these events, Handshake has an

event section to fi nd networking events in your area so you can locate these

opportunities.

6. Network and follow up to stay connected. After meeting new employers that you

may be interested in, make sure to send a thank you email to thank them for their

time. Also requesting a LinkedIn connection can be a great way to reunite so you

Networking is an intimidating concept. Many believe that networking is just about

fi nding a future career and fi nding new opportunities, which is an important aspect of it,

but it can also be about making genuine connections, learning new things, and building

relationships. College is one of the best places to network as there are so many people

and opportunities. Here are 6 tips and tricks to network efficiently during

your time in college!

can reach out in the future to fi nd new internships or career opportunities.

Networking can be frightening at fi rst, but the more practice you get and the more

people you meet, can help ease the transition from college to your future career. It

takes time and effort to network but the long-term outcomes are worth it!