Photo Courtesy of Elvire.R. (flickr)
(This is a guest post from Heather R. Huhman of Come Recommended)
No matter what industry you plan on entering upon graduation, networking with professionals and your peers is pivotal. More often than not, you will make giant leaps in your career thanks to the relationships you’ve made along the way. For many students, the necessity of networking can go overlooked but if approached correctly can produce several benefits.
- Improve your communication skills. Building relationships out of thin air is nearly impossible. Networking will help you to get to know people on a more substantial level beyond what appears on their nametag or online profile.
- Provide a network of resources. Let’s say you need a good resource for a project you are working on. Who do you go to? Networking can provide you with a support system that could be your saving grace when you are in a bind and share common interests and innovations.
- Give you more insight into a career field. Don’t underestimate the power of an informational interview. Talking to professionals in the field you plan on entering will give you a better grasp of what your average day on the job would be like and if the position is truly something you would enjoy.
- Help you realize your potential. Networking isn’t just about getting something from someone else; you should also be giving something in return. Although you should have some idea before you jump into networking, the experience can give you a better sense of what you have to offer to other professionals and peers in your industry.
- Establish a reputation. Building great relationships with your peers and superiors will make them more comfortable recommending you for positions they hear about through the grapevine. They will also feel comfortable sharing ideas with you, which could possibly lead to great partnerships.
It may sound intimidating, but the key to networking is to understand what kind of relationships you hope to build. Remember: Networking is a two-way street. Only network with people you genuinely have an interest in, otherwise you come off as insincere and disrespectful. Find out what you have to offer and what you hope to learn and you can build deep and mutually beneficial relationships.
Heather R. Huhman is a career expert and founder & president of Come Recommended, an exclusive online community connecting the best internship and entry-level job candidates with the best employers. She is also the national entry-level careers columnist for Examiner.com and blogs about career advice at HeatherHuhman.com.
The Clueless Graduate,
Jeff Sanders 
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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