Networking in University
The learning and important work you’ll do in university is not only inside the classroom, but outside as well. Beyond lectures, assignments, labs, and exams, networking is another key part of the university experience. Whether you're a freshman finding your footing or a seasoned senior preparing for the next chapter, building meaningful connections during your university journey is essential for personal growth, academic enrichment, and professional development. In this blog post, we identify different groups of people that you’ll want to network with (and what kind of benefits such networks may bring) as well as different places, times, and events on the university campus (or associated with the university) where you can engage in networking activities.
Who are you trying to network with in university?
The short answer is – everyone! The longer answer is that you want to network with different groups of people for different reasons. You network with your fellow students to learn about job opportunities and university events. You network with lecturers to learn about research opportunities and future study options as well as to have someone to write a reference for you for work or further study. You network with companies that are on campus to learn about internships and job opportunities.
Where does networking happen in university?
Before/after class – This is a great opportunity to have a quick chat with a fellow student or to ask a quick question of your lecturer. Having repeat contact with someone is a great way to start building familiarity with someone, even if your conversation isn’t in depth or very long.
At department events – lectures, annual social events (like Christmas gatherings) – If your department has weekly or regular seminars with guest speakers, there will usually be some time before or after the speaker to mingle with members of the department as well as postgraduate students.
At Career Fairs – There are usually multiple career fairs on campus throughout each academic year, sometimes focusing on different industries. Students should take advantage of these opportunities to introduce themselves to companies they are interested in working for in the future and are great opportunities to learn about upcoming internships or openings.
At student society events – Regular meetings or special events are opportunities for deeper connections with your peers. This enables you to build connections with fellow students that can lead to the creation of social support networks as well as future networks that can lead to learning about job opportunities.
I found out about a few opportunities at university through my social networks with different societies I was involved with, and even helped members of these networks find out about job opportunities that I knew of.
At conferences – Academic conferences have many built-in opportunities to network with your peers as well as established academics. There are frequent tea/coffee breaks where participants are expected to engage in networking behaviours and sometimes specific networking events are scheduled as part of the conference. These are excellent opportunities to find out about research openings, whether as a student or after graduation, learn about study options, connect with potential research supervisors, and more.
During office hours – Most lecturers will have office hours as part of their regular weekly schedule. These are valuable opportunities to develop a personal rapport with your lecturer and help ensure they remember you as a student (sometimes difficult in very large lecture courses) and to learn about work and study opportunities available. Sometimes there are research opportunities available with your lecturer or other lecturers in your department that you may only learn about by being keyed in to the department’s network.
As an undergraduate student, I spent a lot of time in the office hours of one of my medieval history lecturers. This led to us building an excellent rapport that lasts to today, over 20 years after I was his student. I have been able to ask his advice on academic and career options and opportunities during this time, which has been invaluable for me. The relationship has also come full circle, as he recently asked me for advice on teaching information within my own field of study.
At student/alumni events – Attending events that involve alumni of your university is a useful opportunity to meet people who are involved in corporate or industry roles and who have an active interest in supporting students during their studies and in finding internships and work. These are useful opportunities to find potential mentors, get advice on study or career paths, or learn about potential internships and job opportunities.
In Conclusion…
As you continue your university journey, remember that networking is not a cold, transactional experience, but a valuable opportunity that supports lifelong success. It's not just about what you can gain but also what you can offer. By actively engaging with your peers, professors, alumni, and industry professionals, you can expand your knowledge of opportunities and enrich your university experience in ways you never imagined. Be genuine, be proactive, and above all, be open to possibility. Hopefully, this blog post has helped encourage you to embrace the opportunities around you, step out of your comfort zone, and embrace the networking opportunities available on your university campus, laying the foundation for a bright and promising future beyond graduation.
