The Best Networking Practices for Students Attending an Online University

Many students underestimate the importance of building a professional network during their time attending a university. This challenge is exponentially more difficult when enrolled in an online program as the medium can lack the face-to-face learning community that encourages casual conversation and relationship building. Networking is equally important whether you’re a seasoned professional honing skills through a degree or a young student in the latter years of their education. A degree is vital to long-term success, but often meeting your goals can come down to who you know.

While the availability of online job hunting tools has made finding a position easier, many recruiters explain that the hidden job market still accounts for a majority of new hire positions. Furthermore, job referrals boost your chances of getting hired by up to 15 times. At the end of the day, those who graduate with a prolific professional network are going to see far more success in their initial career growth. Here are the best networking practices to build your professional network when attending school online.

Have Confidence and Recognize Your Value

Professional networking requires you to recognize the value you bring and have the confidence to speak openly about your strengths. All of us have valuable skills, and before you embark on your networking journey you need to come to a solid understanding of what yours are. Don’t hesitate to speak with a career coach or mentor if you need help identifying those strengths.

Networking is a Two-Way Street

It’s paramount to understand that you should never approach networking by merely looking at what others can do for you. Recognizing your value in large part is to identify how you can help others achieve their goals and solve their problems. The theory behind networking is to acknowledge the fact that people are stronger together. Always approach conversations from a win-win perspective and you will be far more likely to see success.

Leverage Your University’s Networking Tools

Not enough students know about the excellent resources that their university offers. CSU Global, for example, gives all students free access to the Global Connect community. Within this community students and alumni can access career coaching, join in student groups, find industry-specific mentors, and message fellow students and alumni directly.

How do you break the ice? Easy! Find people in your field of interest and send them a message directly. A message could look something like this:

• Hello _______, I see that you’re a professional in the _______ industry. I’m going to be graduating in 20XX and would love to have a conversation about the best ways to be successful as I enter the workforce. Thank you for your time!

Make sure to message fellow students as well! There is a lot of value they can bring to your professional network immediately and in the future.

Are You Getting the Most Out of LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is undoubtedly the world’s leading business networking platform. If you want to find a career, particularly in business, then a robust LinkedIn profile is essential. Getting the most out of LinkedIn requires you to actively network with other people. Here are some of the best tips.

• Follow businesses that genuinely interest you and engage with their content. Liking a post is important, but make sure to comment as well.
• Make sure to join your university’s LinkedIn group and don’t be afraid to post!
• Join other LinkedIn groups specific to your industry. There are tens of thousands of different communities that cover every profession imaginable.
• As you see content from people that sparks your interest don’t hesitate to add them to your network. However, make sure to include a note with your request! Be methodical with your network. Quality connections and relationships are far more valuable then randomly adding connections.
• Be mindful of people’s privacy and time, but don’t be afraid to message them directly if you share similar goals and aspirations. Scheduling a one-on-one video meeting could lead to a great lifelong networking relationship.
• As you grow your network make sure to post fresh content. What you post is very indicative of your personal brand. Recruiters and employers will review an applicant’s profile. What do you want them to see?

Virtual Conferences are a Great Way to Meet New People

Face-to-face networking is clearly a challenge in online institutions. Fortunately, there has been a massive wave of virtual video-based networking communities that make finding like-minded professionals fun and easy. Most of these organizations offer free or affordable events and consist of individuals looking for solutions to their problems and exploring ways they can help others. Here are a few communities to explore.

• eprenz
• Happy Neighborhood Project
• Network After Work
• The Networking Beasts
• Letslunch

You are your personal brand ambassador and having a network is the best way to spread that brand! Using these tools and strategies will put your name on the map and indicate to others that you’re a collaborative problem-solver and a team player. Just because your university is online doesn’t mean that you don’t have access to wonderful networking opportunities.