Networking helps students with job hunt

College is all about relationships.

Networking, or making contacts with people in the business world, can help students with the tricky task of finding jobs or internships, University career experts said.
Informational events like Networking Nights allow students to learn about their prospective careers outside the classroom and decide on their best employment options.

Becky Brozio, vice president of University and Alumni Relations for the Student Alumni Association, said she constantly hears employers urging students to broaden their horizons and keep from having their majors box them into a specific career.

These opportunities are more important than many students might think, said Crystal Smith, senior assistant director of University and Internal Relations for the Career Development Center. With the highly competitive job market, a college degree is just not enough anymore, she said.

Many companies will not even take the time to look at a resume if the student has not previously spoken with someone from the company at a job fair or career event, said sophomore and director of Networking Nights Charlie Zhang. Student Alumni
Association graduate assistant Kim Kushner said in her experience, employers want
to hire someone who is going to take initiative and be proactive when looking for a job.

“Taking a risk and putting yourself out there and doing it is the first step,” she said.
Though this may seem like a nerve-racking feat, Zhang said that a canned elevator speech is not necessary and urged students to talk to professionals like they would anyone else.

“It doesn’t have to be a highly stressful thing with a bunch of do’s and don’ts,” he said.
Zhang said 80 percent of job openings are never posted but are filled directly through contacts and referrals. Trying to find a job without doing any networking can be more than a little frustrating.

To remedy this problem, students should start building their networks as early as possible, even if they are not yet ready for a job, Smith said. She emphasized the importance of making the most of these opportunities while in college, a time when the possibilities are limitless.

“No other time in a student’s life is an employer going to come to you,” Smith said.

Need Help Networking?

A Networking Night focusing on media and entertainment is from  6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the DeVault Alumni Center.

The event is organized by the Career Development Center and the Student Alumni Association. Networking Night lets students hear more about a specific career through a mediated panel and by making contacts with guest panelists during a reception.

There will be several more Networking Nights next semester focusing on advertising, design and public relations; nonprofit; writing, editing and publishing; and sales and marketing.