Four ways to network at uni | iQ Thrive Academy 

Networking is a vital soft skill for anyone looking to progress their careers. It can help you build the right connections, find the perfect opportunities and help you build the confidence to talk to anyone. Here are five ways you can network at uni and prepare for your future career.  

Talk to your lecturers 

Your lecturers are the perfect people to connect to and also to build further connections from. They might know about events you can go to or opportunities you can apply for. As experts in their fields, they’ll have their own strong networks that you might be able to benefit from. Make sure to build some rapport before you ask them to help you out. Get involved in lectures and ask questions to help give off a good impression and let them know you’re serious about progressing your career. If they know you well enough, they could also provide vital references in the future.  

Attend networking events 

Head to optional lectures, talks and networking events both on campus and with outside organisations. Look up organisations, museums and magazines to do with your field and you’ll find plenty of events that will be filled with people with the right connections. If it helps with your confidence, take a friend with you, but make sure not to get stuck in a corner talking to each other. A simple hello and asking someone where they’ve come from and what they do is an easy way to get started. 

Use social media 

LinkedIn is a must for professionals nowadays. Create a solid profile that details your education and achievements and then start searching for people that might be able to help you out. You might want to message people that hold the job title you’d like to have to see how they got to their position. You might also want to contact a recruiter in our industry to get some tips on how to earn yourself the job you want.  

If you’re a designer, you could even make use of Instagram to privately message people that inspire you. Depending on your industry, there are plenty of platforms to find the right people to help you progress your career.  

Use your uni’s careers hub 

Nowadays, most unis have a careers hub to help you find the right opportunities. They might have a jobs board or a list of recruiters and professionals you can talk to to find the right opportunities. Undertaking temporary jobs or volunteering can be great ways of building your network while also getting the experience you need to be taken more seriously.