Social Media is your friend…Use it!
As a student, you are probably using social media already. Most students have a Facebook page, and more and more are using Twitter, Instagram and other sites to connect. As you begin building a professional network, it’s time to take a step back and think about social media and how you use it as a networking technique. If a potential employer or new connection visited your social media page, would you be happy with what they found? Keep your profile and interactions professional. That means it may be time for an upgrade, or the removal of certain posts or photos. When connecting with someone you have not met personally, your profile will shape their early impressions.
AWAY GAMES – Network With Other Schools
Who says you have to stay on campus to build an empire? Networking at different schools is a wonderful way to getting ones brand out. Take advantage of this opportunity by interacting with other student bodies while attending a basketball, football or even a baseball games. You may end up surprising yourself after all.
Use the Student Card
By all means when you are out at social events and you’re introducing yourself to others, there may be many advantages from attending your HBCU. Powerful connections are closer than you think, and being able to communicate is a MAJOR KEY. Throughout your networking career, you will need to tell your story in a variety of ways. Imagine that you were in an elevator with a recruiter and had only 30 seconds between floors to sell yourself, what would you say? You never know when a networking opportunity may arise, so develop some sort of pitch based on your introductory essentials. It will be invaluable during career fairs and other large-scale networking events, but will also come in handy during early conversations with a new contact.
Don’t wait until graduation
As you are on your way out the door into the real world, one big mistake that many soon to be college grads make is waiting until it’s too late to start networking with others. While there is really no set time or deadline to network, the sooner you get to it, the better. Keep in mind that you’re not the only one who is out here chasing a dream or trying to secure a job. Building a professional relationship takes more than 3 weeks, and is something that could benefit you in the long run if done correctly and not last minute, nothing that is rushed will never work.
Do an Internship, EVERY SUMMER
With the end of the semester approaching, the summer job search is in full swing. Students are frantically preparing for finals, planning living arrangements, and deciding where to work for the next four months. The benefits of a summer internship can sometimes get overlooked. While a paid job has immediate, tangible benefits, an internship opportunity also has positive, long-term outcomes. Employers are much more likely to hire college graduates who have had an internship over students who may just have a college degree. Whether you’re a graduating senior hoping to gain practical work experience before heading into the career field, or a freshman looking to add experience to your résumé, an internship is the way to go.
Ready for college but not sure what to expect, or even bring? Before you say goodbye to your parents and friends, check out this ultimate guide to surviving your first year in college, and in particular at the country’s 107 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). We created the #HBCUFreshmanBible to help build a bridge for students to make a successful transition from high school to black colleges, you can read more here.
