Getting started
To find your network, think of everyone you know professionally or socially who might be able to give you ideas about employment or help you locate professionals in your field. Some examples of contacts are: classmates, Hiram College Alumni, parents and relatives, the Career Center, parents of classmates, professors and other college staff, current and former employers, guest speakers you have met, members of professional associations, high school teachers, and family friends.
Use your liberal arts skills. You already know how to communicate with others and how to do research. In this case, you are doing research while talking to people. Start with people you know and practice your professional behavior and questioning skills before you contact strangers.
What kind of information might people in your network have?
- Names of potential employers to contact.
- Acquaintances who work in your prospective career field who could advise you.
- Meetings or career events to attend.
- Professional associations to join as a student member.
- Friends or relatives in other cities who have professional contacts.
The key point of networking: each of these contacts may lead to other contacts! Always end networking conversations by asking for the name of another person to contact.