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Networking While at University: 3 Best Practices Networking While at University: 3 Best Practices

Given that approximately seven out of 10 jobs go to people who already have a connection at the company, according to research, the importance of professional networks to your career growth is difficult to overstate. What's also difficult, unfortunately, is building them from the ground up while you're still at university.

Confused about where, how or when to get started? We've got you covered. Check out these three simple best practices for university students.

1.

It All Starts With Your Professors

Getting to know your professors, especially those whose expertise aligns with your potential career interests, is the first step you can take toward building a professional network while at university. This happens in many different ways, formal (during scheduled office hours) and informal (in corridors, in the stacks, in the lull after class). Whatever the case may be, it's going to be beneficial to you for a number of reasons.

For starters, regularly attending office hours will reinforce in-class learning, which should pay dividends come exam time. But no less important are all of the other things you can learn from your professors once you've established a rapport. For example, you should feel comfortable asking questions like:

  • What path did you take to get where you are today?
  • What did you study at university?
  • Which courses excited you—and which were the most helpful to your career?
  • What advice do you have for someone interested in going into industry?

You'll find that your professors are fonts of knowledge, that they have your interests at heart and that they want to be of service where they can.

What's more, once you've built the relationship, and cemented it by engaging in class and acing your exams, there's a reciprocal obligation, too—and your professors are aware of it. Namely, it's fine for you to ask them to serve as references or write letters of recommendations on your behalf for relevant job applications down the line. This won't take them by surprise, so don't be afraid to ask. If anything, it's probably better to ask for these things sooner, rather than later, while you're still fresh in their minds.

Finally, who knows? Your professors may well have their own professional networks in industries you're interested in, and you might even be able to tap into them. Either way, though, the bottom line is that your professors have a lot to offer you, and you want them on your side.

PRO TIP

If you've built a positive relationship with one of your professors—and demonstrated excellence in the classroom, too—don't delay in asking for a letter of recommendation. You want them to write it while your superlative qualities are still fresh in their minds.

2.

Leverage the Resources of Your University's Career Office

With Professor X is slowly coming around, it's time to head on over to the career office at your university. Why? Because its mission can be summed up succinctly as follows: connecting you with people, resources, organisations and employers that will help you grow professionally.

Building a professional network—recall the "seven out of 10" stat earlier—is one aspect of that.

So in addition to providing hands-on support with things like CVs and cover letters, your university's career office should be able to point you in the direction of resources like:

What's more, university career offices often function essentially as job boards for the local student body, so they can connect you with meaningful job opportunities in your area (and often on campus) in the near term, too: laboratory and research assistants, office administration and management roles and more. Better yet, these are typically part-time positions, designed not to put too much of a strain on your academic workload.

So if you haven't already, stop by your university's career office soon. Amazing resources await you there.

PRO TIP

Worried that you're too shy or introverted to really shine at your next career fair or networking event? Don't be. One effective workaround is to come to the event armed with a list of questions you want to ask. It's an effective approach when you're meeting and engaging with new people—and it helps take the spotlight off of you until you're ready.

Another thing: To help you plan for career fairs, networking events and similar, it's not a bad idea to ask your university's career office for a schedule of everything that's planned as soon as the semester is underway.

3.

Start Building on LinkedIn

Some students seem to think that having professional experience is the bar of admission when it comes to LinkedIn. It isn't. But it is the best social channel for connecting with people who share not just your career interests, but your passions and values as well.

That last bit—passion and values—is worth pausing to reflect on, especially for university students, because you might not realise how much the LinkedIn landscape has changed. Most notably, self-presentation has become a lot more fluid, personal and aspirational than it was in the past. You're less likely to encounter, say, "Albert Einstein, Ph.D., Theoretical Physicist" than "Albert Einstein, Ph.D. (He/Him), Theoretical Physicist | Musicophile | Unifier" nowadays.

So there's no reason to wait until you've graduated to create a LinkedIn profile and start networking. Indeed, there's a reason something like 200,000 university students join the platform every month. LinkedIn groups, in particular, are a great way to identify mentors and people who can support your professional growth. Check out this guidance on finding and joining LinkedIn groups if you need any help.

PRO TIP

Follow the steps outlined here to amend the URL of your LinkedIn profile. This is a general best practice, the goal of which is simply to make it as easy as possible for people in your network to find you.

Join Our Team Today!

Gotten the hang of these three networking essentials? Ready to embark on your career journey, make a positive impact and even help change the future of health for good? If so, be sure to check out all of the different ways students in Europe, the Middle East and Asia can join Johnson & Johnson today. You'll find countless opportunities to pursue your passions, explore your interests and take on new challenges while being challenged to grow. You'll also find an inclusive, supportive culture where you can be your authentic self.

Finally, before you go, think about signing up for our global talent community as well. It's an easy way to stay in touch, learn more about our culture and even get updates about jobs that might interest you in the future.

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