Networking Tips

By Lauren Brady

Networking early on with professionals in your field of interest is key to making strong connections in the future, even if you aren’t immediately entering the workforce after graduation. Some of us are going to graduate school or pursuing other opportunities, but your Villanova network is still an important part of your professional journey. Networking can take various shapes and forms, and the more practice we have, the better our future employment situation. Here are some tips and tricks you may find useful along the way!

1. Lean on your professors

Your Villanova professors likely have great connections to working professionals or to other people in academia. Many graduate students use these connections to secure semester or summer internships that have the potential for a full-time offer after grad school. Even if your professors don’t have these contacts themselves, they will likely direct you to someone who does. Expressing your interest in your professor’s field of expertise is a great compliment, and they will be thrilled to help their students succeed.

2, Cold emails

This can be extremely intimidating, especially if the person you want to contact has an advanced position. However, current professionals are excellent resources if you want to learn more about their job or possibly get an internship. If you have a general idea of where you want to work and what field you want to work in, a simple Google search can go a long way. You can also look up Villanova alumni whose careers fit your interests on LinkedIn or Nova Network. Once you find someone that you want to reach out to, draft an email to them. The email should express your desire to gain more knowledge in the employee’s field and request a short in-person or phone meeting. Remember that it may take these professionals days or weeks to respond because of their busy schedules. But if there is no response, don’t give up! Keep reaching out to others, and you’ll likely get some responses.

3. Attend on-campus events

Events sponsored by Villanova’s Career Center or your academic department are excellent networking opportunities. Go to a career fair, or attend a lecture. These professionals want to connect with college students. There is a good chance that they would share future opportunities with you, and you could form a long-lasting professional relationship. Attending campus events can mean stepping out of your comfort zone. You might have more success networking if you do so alone, but bring a friend to the event with you if you would feel more confident that way.