{"652854":{"#nid":"652854","#data":{"type":"news","title":"7 Ways to Level Up Your Networking Game","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EArticle by Emma Ryan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou know that networking is important for building your career. But, when it comes to this professional development skill, what are the strategies for success? \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNetworking is important for all professionals \u2014 but especially for graduate students who are often trying to make the next leap in their career.\u201d said Lanie Damon, a graduate career development advisor. \u201cNetworking is the foundational skill that you need to find internships and research assistantships, identify mentors, and connect with potential employers.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019re looking for ways to expand your circle and secure your next job or internship, check out these seven tips from career professionals at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. Use LinkedIn strategically.\u003C\/strong\u003E There are several ways to maximize your time on LinkedIn. (For information on how to improve your profile, see \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/grad.gatech.edu\/news\/8-tips-top-notch-linkedin-profile\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E8 Tips for a Top-notch LinkedIn Profile\u003C\/a\u003E). Here are a few strategies:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUse Tech\u2019s\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/school\/georgia-institute-of-technology\/people\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E organizational page\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;to research and reach out to alumni in your field via the \u201cAlumni\u201d tab. Send\u0026nbsp;them a personalized note with your connection invite and follow\u0026nbsp;up at least once if you don\u2019t hear back, Damon said. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELook at your network\u2019s past work experience to see if any of your connections have worked at companies that you\u2019re interested in. If they have, reach out to them to talk about their experience and potentially get a foot in the door. \u201cYou can limit yourself by only making attempts to connect with someone high up in the organization, like the CEO,\u201d added Lydia Pendleton, corporate relations manager in Aerospace Engineering. \u201cLook to connect with people within the company who might be more accessible, such as alumni, classmates, or recruiters.\u201d \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUse LinkedIn boldly when networking, said Ann Blasick, a career coach and corporate relations manager for the Master of Science in Analytics in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Once you\u2019ve found people in the types of job you\u2019re interested in, Blasick says to reach out confidently and ask for a short (around 30 minutes) networking chat. \u201cThe worst-case scenario is someone won\u2019t respond back; the best-case is that someone will offer great advice and even a job referral,\u201d Blasick added. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFollow influential figures in your industry, and post and repost content relevant to your field. Damon also pointed out that companies are interested in you as a whole person, not just a professional.\u0026nbsp;So, don\u2019t be afraid to post things that you\u0027re\u0026nbsp;personally passionate about as a way for people to get to know you better. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. Do your research and look for commonalities.\u003C\/strong\u003E When you connect with a potential mentor or recruiter, take the time to learn more about their professional journey, Pendleton said. Those insights can help get the conversation started. For example,\u0026nbsp;you could reach out to that person and say, \u0022Hi Sandra, the article you wrote on (bears in the wild) was thought provoking. I\u2019m writing a thesis on (wild bears living in tiny homes), which ties into the research you\u0027ve done. I\u2019d love to connect with you and exchange ideas,\u0022 Pendleton said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. Focus on learning, not selling\u003C\/strong\u003E. When you\u2019re communicating with your network, Blasick said to focus on listening and asking questions vs. talking about yourself. \u201cYour goal in a networking conversation is not to sell yourself but rather to be curious, and gain advice and information on the job you\u2019re interested in,\u201d she said. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4. Take advantage of LinkedIn Learning.\u003C\/strong\u003E Tech students have access to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/linkedinlearning.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Efree LinkedIn Learning courses\u003C\/a\u003E. The platform offers courses on topics ranging from UX\/UI design to Python and Java. \u201cEven though you\u2019re coming from a well-respected institution, these badges allow you to demonstrate a wider variety of skills,\u201d Damon said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E5. Practice networking with the people around you.\u003C\/strong\u003E \u201cIf networking doesn\u2019t come naturally to you, then it\u2019s a skill that you can acquire,\u201d Damon said. She recommends looking for ways to get involved on campus, whether through student organizations, volunteer opportunities, information sessions, or professor\u2019s office hours. \u201cYou never know who is going to be able to help you along the way,\u201d Damon said. \u201cSo, take advantage of opportunities to meet people \u2014 it\u2019s easy to network with people who share an interest with you.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E6. Find and join professional associations. \u003C\/strong\u003EOrganizations like the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/organization\/institute-of-electrical-and-electronics-engineers\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/organization\/industrial-designers-society-of-america\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EIndustrial Designers Society of America\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;will give you access to career pages, networking events, and professionals who are willing to help you out. To find professional associations to join, Damon said to check out organizations on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EEngage @ GT\u003C\/a\u003E, and connect with subject experts at the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.library.gatech.edu\/experts\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E Library\u003C\/a\u003E. You can also join organizations specifically for graduate students, such as the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.swe.gtorg.gatech.edu\/gradswe\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGrad Society of Women Engineers\u003C\/a\u003E, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/achegs.chbe.gatech.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAssociation of Chemical Engineer Graduate Students\u003C\/a\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/organization\/phd-2-consulting-club\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EPhD 2\u0026nbsp;Consulting Club\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E7. Read \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe 2-Hour Job Search\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;by Steve Dalton for a practical step-by-step approach\u003C\/strong\u003E. \u201cDalton points out that when networking, you\u2019ll encounter three types of people: curmudgeons, obligates, and boosters,\u201d Blasick said. \u201cYou can read the book to get the full definition of each type, but the key takeaway is that you should look for the boosters. Those are the people who respond quickly, and enjoy offering advice and guidance on your job search.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u0026rsquo;re looking for ways to expand your circle and secure your next job or internship, check out these seven tips from career professionals at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"If you\u2019re looking for ways to expand your circle and secure your next job or internship, check out these seven tips from career professionals at Georgia Tech.\u00a0"}],"uid":"35631","created_gmt":"2021-11-15 18:20:26","changed_gmt":"2026-03-23 21:48:30","author":"eryan32","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-11-15T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2021-11-15T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"652855":{"id":"652855","type":"image","title":"Networking at Georgia Tech","body":null,"created":"1637000481","gmt_created":"2021-11-15 18:21:21","changed":"1637000481","gmt_changed":"2021-11-15 18:21:21","alt":"","file":{"fid":"247661","name":"40426a7d-9886-c7f3-c512-39a3cbeb4dc9.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/40426a7d-9886-c7f3-c512-39a3cbeb4dc9.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/40426a7d-9886-c7f3-c512-39a3cbeb4dc9.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":287953,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/40426a7d-9886-c7f3-c512-39a3cbeb4dc9.jpg?itok=HJAEVrCD"}}},"media_ids":["652855"],"groups":[{"id":"221981","name":"Graduate Studies"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"1808","name":"graduate students"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:edamon3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ELanie\u0026nbsp;Damon\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECareer Center\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}