After experiencing two lockdowns in two years, the way we network with industry has completely changed. It is vital that students adapt to this new way of connecting with people. Here are a few tips to help you network in this new day and age!
1. Join a society
Networking isn’t limited to e people who are already in full-time jobs, it also includes people doing your degree. Joining a society is a great way to meet people with similar interests to you and potentially connect with students further into your degree who can share tips and advice. Some students in societies may already work with industry in a part-time role and could give you some helpful insights.
2. Attend events (on zoom or physical)
As a result of lockdown, many societies have pivoted towards online events hosted zoom with panellists from industry. Although lockdown is ending, it is likely that societies may continue to use zoom as a networking tool as it is a safer way to bring people together from all over Sydney and even the world! We must get used to this way of connecting with people, and take advantage of the Q&A sections.
3. Reach out on LinkedIn
While it may be scary to message strangers, reaching out on LinkedIn is a great way to network! Find people who are in jobs that you might be interested in and ask if they would like to have a call (or a coffee post-COVID) to share their experience and advice. People are usually quite receptive and love to talk about their career and share their tips.
4. Reach out to your tutors
Tutors and lecturers are there to help you, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them! They often have an abundance of experience in their industry and will more than likely have amazing network contacts.
5. Internships
If you are in a position where you can afford to volunteer your time, internships and volunteering positions are a wonderful way to have first-hand experience in your industry. This allows you to connect with and learn from industry professionals.
While networking is great, remember not to get too caught up in your future career as you should take time to enjoy your uni experience! If you need support or have any questions, we are with you every step of the way.