Networking 101: Building Connections that Launch Careers

emilymcsherry2023
May 15, 2025
3 min read

In today's competitive job market, who you know can be just as important as what you know. Through conversations with successful professionals, one theme emerges consistently: networking played a crucial role in their career journeys.

Start Early and Be Strategic

As Chihiro, a Private Equity Director at ZT Corporate, reflects on his college experience: "There's a really important thing that I did not do during undergrad that really would have set me up for success earlier on. And that is seeking out mentorship. I didn't do that until much later in life. And so I'm glad that I eventually learned that lesson and I benefited from it greatly. But I just did not realize that I had so much to learn and gain from finding mentors."

His advice for current students? "Find people within your network. The easiest way to do this is through LinkedIn, but find alumni from whatever school you attend and reach out to those people who are doing what you're interested in... Maybe one of them will respond to you and agree to have a 15 or 30 minute conversation with you."

Make Every Connection Count

Madison, a Marketing Specialist at GoGather, emphasizes that even one meaningful connection can make all the difference: "That one connection I had in my MBA program turned into my first full-time job."

Engage with Professors

Nima, now an Architect at a Boston architecture firm, emphasizes the importance of faculty relationships: "I made an active effort, especially in the second half of my undergrad and a lot in grad school, to meet faculty and find mentorship from them. Now that I am faculty, I've realized it's a two-way street and there's actually a joy to being a mentor as faculty and making that space available."

Templates That Work

LinkedIn Connection Request

Hi [Name]! I'm a [University] student studying [Major]. Your experience in [specific field/role] at [Company] really interests me, especially your work on [specific project/initiative]. I'd appreciate to connect to learn from your journey in the industry. Are you available for 15 minutes on Friday at 2pm?

Informational Interview Request Email

Subject: [University] Student - Quick Chat About Your Experience at [Company]

Dear [Name],

Thank you for connecting on LinkedIn. I'm a [year] at [University] studying [Major], and I'm very interested in learning more about [specific aspect of their work/company]. Your journey from [previous role/company] to [current role] particularly caught my attention.

Would you be open to a 15-minute virtual coffee chat to share your insights about [specific topic/company/industry]? I'm especially curious about [1-2 specific questions].

I'm available:

[Day, Date] at [Time]
[Day, Date] at [Time]
[Day, Date] at [Time]

I understand you're busy and appreciate any time you can spare.

Thank you for considering!

Best regards,

[Your name]

[University + Class Year]

Best Practices for Building Your Network

Be Proactive: Don't wait for opportunities to come to you. As Chihiro advises, reach out to ten people - maybe only two or three will respond, but that's all you need to start building meaningful connections.
Follow Through: When someone takes time to meet with you, follow up with a thank you note and keep them updated on your progress.
Give Before You Take: Look for ways to add value to your connections, even as a student. This could be through sharing relevant articles, making introductions, or offering to help with projects.
Stay in Touch: Regular, meaningful contact keeps your network strong. Share your successes, ask for advice when needed, and celebrate others' achievements.
Use Advize: Reference their videos in your reach out because it will lead to easier connections and more in-depth conversations.

The Long Game

Remember that networking isn't just about finding your next job - it's about building relationships that will support your entire career journey. Start early, be genuine in your interactions, and focus on creating connections that benefit both parties.

As Madison reminds us, "Networking, building your brand within your industry, and building relationships is usually the key to unlocking everything from a professional standpoint."

By following these guidelines and maintaining authenticity in your outreach, you can build a strong professional network that will serve you throughout your career journey.

Want to learn more about how your specific background could translate into a career path? Visit us at Advize for more insights from successful, relatable professionals sharing real information to help.

If you ever want to reach out for help, advice or networking, shoot us an email at hello@advizehub.com or message us on Slack!

Wishing you success,

Emily McSherry

Founder & CEO