How to Network 101: The Meliora Edition
As soon as University of Rochester students get on campus, they are very eager to get a head start on their job searching process. This could involve summer internships, full-time graduate jobs, or even on-campus jobs. Regardless of class year, everyone wants to get some professional experience to practice and learn new skills. There are several factors that go into the job search and how students can increase their chances to getting employment at any level. In this post, I’ll be focusing on the “work smart, not hard” approach to the job search, AKA networking.
So what is networking?
Networking is the process of building and maintaining mutually positive relationships with family, friends, alumni, and other professionals to gain information, learn about opportunities, and connect with others for professional growth.
But what does that really mean?
It means talking to people about anything professional, industry, career, or academically related.
Why should you even network?
Well, if you are trying to get a job or opportunity anywhere, just know that nearly 80% of jobs are filled through networking. All you have to do is put yourself out there, get to know people, and let people get to know you. Sounds just like something you would normally do casually, so why not integrate it into your professional/academic life as well?
Who should you network with?
You can talk to your parents, co-workers, teachers, classmates, or a complete stranger whom you have a minor mutuality with. You can network with people from your last job, your current job, your middle school, high school, neighborhood, community—basically anyone who’s willing to have a conversation.
Where should you network?
You can network in class (though preferably not during class), around campus, off campus (in the city or at off-campus housing/events), networking-specific events, panels, lectures, cafes, dining halls, and basically anywhere people are. Want to connect with someone whom you can’t meet in person? That’s fine too—you can still network with them!
Networking can and should also happen online. The most common networking platform is LinkedIn, which is a professional version of Facebook. On LinkedIn, you can create a profile with all of your experiences, skills, and general information. With a completed profile, you can start connecting with others on the platform and send direct messages or comment on a post to get to know people who might be a useful connection for you.
Uniquely to the University of Rochester, there is also the Meliora Collective. The Meliora Collective is a website similar to LinkedIn but it is specifically for University of Rochester students, alumni, professors, staff, and affiliates. What makes the Meliora Collective unique is that everyone who makes a profile is also prompted to express what skills/events/ideas they are knowledgeable in and would be willing to help others with. In return, they can also list some things that they would like help or information on. For example, I might list “resume building/cover letter reviewing” as my expertise because I am a peer career advisor, and also list that I would like to “hear about alumni experiences in industry as engineers.” The concept of the website allows for both parties to receive valuable information and avoid the one-sided feeling that networking can have.
Here are some things you can do to get started;
- Create an elevator pitch
- Create accounts on LinkedIn and the Meliora Collective
- Start going to networking events and talk to people
- Keep up with old friends and acquaintances every three to six months
Feel free to look at some of the networking tips the Gwen M. Greene Center for Career Education and Connections has provided.
Whether you decide to attend the University of Rochester or any other institution, I wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.