Networking November: Why Networking Matters for Your Student

You’ve likely witnessed your student’s academic growth and personal development throughout their college years. First-year students are just diving in, while sophomores, juniors, and seniors, in particular, are in pivotal phases of their higher education journey. As they progress, one skill becomes increasingly essential: networking.

With November commonly referred to as “Networking November” in career circles, it’s the perfect time for you to help guide students toward building a professional network that can pave the way for future success. Networking is often described as “who you know,” but it’s much more than that. It’s about forming genuine connections, seeking mentorship, gaining advice, and discovering opportunities that might not be advertised publicly. Here’s why it’s crucial for your student—and how you can support them.

Benefits of Networking

Access to Hidden Opportunities: Many jobs, internships, and career-building opportunities are never formally advertised. They are filled through personal referrals and recommendations. Networking gives your student a leg up by helping them tap into this hidden job market. Whether it’s through an introduction from a professor, a connection made at a career fair, or even a conversation with an alumnus at a campus event, these opportunities often arise through networking.

Career Advice from Professionals: Networking gives students the chance to connect with professionals in their field of interest. These professionals have invaluable insights into what it takes to succeed in their industry. Students can learn firsthand about challenges, trends, and necessary skills directly from people with real-world experience. This guidance helps students align their education with market needs, making them more attractive to potential employers.

Mentorship and Support: A strong network can provide your student with mentors who can offer long-term support and guidance. Whether it’s helping with decision-making, offering feedback on career goals, or just being a sounding board during tough times, mentors are essential. The relationships your student builds now could turn into lifelong professional connections and friendships.

Building Confidence: One of the often-overlooked benefits of networking is the confidence it builds in young professionals. Learning to introduce themselves, ask questions, and hold conversations with industry experts takes practice. By engaging in networking events, students sharpen their communication skills, learn to articulate their goals, and build the self-assurance necessary for interviews, meetings, and beyond.

How You Can Help

Encourage Attendance at Career Fairs and Networking Events: Fisher hosts career fairs, networking events, and industry-specific panels throughout the year. Encourage your student to attend these events, even if it’s just to observe initially. Remind them that every conversation is a chance to build a relationship, and even seemingly casual chats can open doors.

Leverage Your Own Network: Don’t underestimate the power of your own network. You likely have connections in various industries that could benefit your student. Ask friends, colleagues, or acquaintances if they’d be willing to speak with your student or share advice. Even a short informational interview can provide invaluable insights.

Help Students Build Their LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn is one of the most powerful networking tools for college students. Encourage your student to create or polish their LinkedIn profile, including updating their experiences, skills, and career interests. Show them how to search for alumni in their field, join groups, and follow companies of interest. Offer to review their profile and provide feedback if they feel uncertain about how to present themselves professionally.

Practice Networking with Students: Networking can be intimidating, especially for students who are naturally more introverted. Offer to help practice their networking “pitch” or elevator speech—how they introduce themselves, talk about their academic and career goals, and express their interests. Role-playing these conversations can make them feel more confident when the time comes to network.

Remind Students that Networking is a Long-Term Investment: One of the biggest misconceptions about networking is that it’s about getting something immediately. Networking is about building relationships over time. Encourage students to be patient and focus on connecting with people who genuinely interest them, rather than just trying to “get a job.” These relationships may not pay off immediately, but over time, they can lead to significant opportunities.

Networking as a Skill for Life: As your student progresses through college, networking becomes more than just a way to land an internship or job—it’s a lifelong skill that will benefit them in every aspect of their professional journey. By encouraging them to take advantage of “Networking November,” you’re helping them build a crucial foundation for their future career.  Your support and guidance can make all the difference as they navigate this process.  Let this November be a reminder to your student—and to you—that it’s never too early to start building meaningful professional connections. 

Why First-Year Students Should Take Advantage of LinkedIn Now

As first-year students settle into college life, there is an important tool you can help them add to their academic and professional journey: LinkedIn.

You might be thinking, “Isn’t LinkedIn for people who already have careers?” While it is true that LinkedIn is a go-to platform for professionals, it is also a powerful networking tool for college students, especially those in their first-year. In fact, starting early on LinkedIn can give them a head start in building connections, discovering career paths, and standing out in an increasingly competitive job market.

Here’s why LinkedIn is important for your student and how you can encourage them to use it effectively.

Early Networking Builds Long-Term Success: Networking is more than exchanging business cards or making connections for an immediate job. It’s about building relationships that can open doors in the future. By creating a LinkedIn profile early in their college career, students can start connecting with professors, classmates, guest speakers, and alumni. Encouraging your student to network now helps them build a support system that they can rely on when it’s time to apply for jobs or internships down the road. A robust network is one of the most valuable resources in any career.

LinkedIn Helps Students Identify Career Goals: The first year of college can feel overwhelming, and many students are still figuring out their academic and career paths. LinkedIn offers a window into real-world industries, job roles, and career trajectories. By browsing profiles of professionals in their field of interest, students can gain insights into the skills, experiences, and educational paths that lead to certain careers. Students can also join LinkedIn groups related to their academic interests. These groups allow them to engage in discussions, ask questions, and get a better sense of what’s happening in various industries. This exposure can help them clarify their career goals and plan their academic journey accordingly.

Internship Opportunities: Many companies post internships on LinkedIn, and competition for these positions starts early. By having an active and professional LinkedIn profile, your student is better positioned to find and apply for internships that align with their career interests. Internships are critical for building work experience and making professional connections. Starting early allows students to secure internships during their sophomore or junior years, making them more competitive candidates when it’s time to apply for full-time jobs.

Showcasing Skills and Experiences: While your student may not have much professional experience yet, LinkedIn allows students to showcase other valuable skills and experiences. They can highlight:

• Volunteer work: Many employers value community involvement.
• Clubs and extracurricular activities: These experiences demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and initiative.
• Part-time jobs: Even work outside their chosen field shows responsibility and time management.
• Coursework: Encourage your student to include coursework, projects, and presentations that are relevant to their career interests. Many students don’t realize that their academic work can also be a part of their LinkedIn profile, offering potential employers a glimpse into their skills and growth.

Building a Personal Brand: LinkedIn allows students to begin crafting their personal brand—the unique combination of their skills, values, and goals. By writing a strong profile summary and choosing a professional photo, students can convey who they are and what they bring to the table.

Learning from Thought Leaders: LinkedIn is also a great platform for learning. Students can follow thought leaders in their industry, stay informed about trends, and engage with professionals’ posts. This exposure helps them become more knowledgeable and better prepared for future interviews or networking conversations.

As a parent or guardian, you can play a key role in encouraging your student to get started on LinkedIn. Here are a few ways to help:

• Start a conversation: Talk about the importance of networking and how LinkedIn can help.
• Offer to help with their profile: Sit down together and guide them in creating their profile. Offer suggestions for their headline and summary and remind them to use a professional photo. Career Services’ newly updated website has a ton of resources to help and is easily accessible from their mySJF dashboard!
• Encourage connections: Suggest they connect with professors, high school teachers, family friends, and even yourself! LinkedIn is about building a network of relationships, and these early connections can be valuable.

In today’s job market, having the right connections and a professional online presence can make all the difference. “Networking November” is the perfect time to introduce your student to LinkedIn and help them get a head start on building a successful career. By encouraging them to start now, you are setting them up for long-term success and giving them a valuable tool that will serve them well beyond their college years.

Career Services is here to help!  Students can schedule appointments for help with LinkedIn and all things career via Handshake’s Career Center.