Any teacher, avisor or boss can tell you the importance of networking. Networking, aka helping create opportunites for yourself by conversing with people from your industry. Although it seems intimidating, always remember that the person you are about to talk to was in your shoes once! Its a fact, people enjoy sharing what they do for a living and talking about what they have acomplished. So why not introduce yourself and help put a name to a face.
A few key tips I have learned about networking:
- Never be afraid to introduce yourself, as long as you present your self in a professional manner you really have nothing to loose.
- Always have a business card on you. Although it may seem outdated, handing a professional in your field a business card with your name, school, major and contact information can trigger a memory or name recognition next time you send out your resume. ( Plus, almost all colleges, Marist included, will print personalized business cards for a reasonable price)
- Be yourself, but keep it professional. Don't try and act like someone you are not, but also remember that these are people you could come across in your future. Never bad mouth a boss or company in the presense of other professionals, you never know who knows who.
- With that being said, it really is a small world. You may have a connection to someone in the industry you are intereste in without even realizing. ( For example, one of the clients at my internship, Mally Roncal ( Celebrity Makeup Artsist) happens to be a Marist Alum, not only that, so is her personal assistant!)
