What is networking? Networking brings people together to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. Career networking helps professionals find jobs, learn new skills, and stay current on the latest business trends.
For recent university students and graduates, networking is mostly about finding jobs, but there are many advantages to cultivating a professional network. Let’s take a look at several reasons international students should network while they study in the United States. We will also discuss the different types of networking events and what to consider, from how to prepare and follow up to etiquette at US-based in-person events.
How to Network for International Students
For international students studying in the United States, networking is a great way to build professional relationships and even extend your stay after graduation. When people say networking, they usually mean career networking. The social app LinkedIn is the most popular spot to build a career network online. In real life, networking is often associated with professional development events, such as a career fair.
“Only about 20% of available jobs are listed publicly. Most of them are found through referrals,” said Brittany Chill, assistant director, career services and academics at Shorelight. “I know a lot of international students who have discovered opportunities by working closely with a professor who referred their industry contacts. Fostering those relationships can be really crucial for international students, especially when they may already need work authorizations.”
In-Person Career Networking
There are several different types of networking to consider, both in person and online. In-person networking events include:
Career fairs: Job seekers connect with employers at career fairs to discuss work and internship opportunities and to make contacts. There are general job and career fairs, with many different types of employers and roles, or they can be specialized to a specific industry or employer.
Campus clubs and organizations: There are all types of clubs at university that bring together people with similar personal or professional interests. They are a great way to meet like-minded people and make important connections.
Alumni or alumnae events: These events bring former students back to their university. They present opportunities for current students to connect with former students who are on similar career paths.
Conferences and seminars: These larger events may be focused on one or several related topics, covering anything from artificial intelligence to comic books.
Workshops or lectures: These events are similar to conferences and seminars but are usually smaller. Workshops are more interactive than lectures, often giving students an opportunity to participate.
“At an in-person networking event, you’re allowed and encouraged to go up to strangers, introduce yourself, and start a conversation. You’re allowed to practice those career-building communication skills,” said Matthew Lesko, product manager for student success solutions at Shorelight. “People sometimes forget how to interact in person and networking helps them remember. When it comes to engaging with another person face-to-face in real life — that also helps you stand out from the crowd and be remembered.”
You Can Start Building Your Career Network Online
There are many similar events available online, too. In fact, the whole list of in-person events can be reproduced digitally. There are virtual industry conferences, topic-specific groups and forums, and even online workshops to explore.
Digital events might not provide the interpersonal benefits of an in-person event. However, starting your networking journey online might be easier if you are still gaining confidence in speaking English or getting used to cultural differences while you study internationally.
“Whether someone is an introvert or an extrovert really makes a difference in how they interpret some of these pieces of advice,” said Chill. “For students who aren’t comfortable being extroverted, a great place to start is LinkedIn. Look at companies that you aspire to work for. In the People section, find folks in positions that you might like to have someday. That’s a great way to start doing research and to connect with people.”
Send a Message to Potential Mentors and Contacts on LinkedIn
Chill recommends sending a message via LinkedIn to the people you find who have jobs or work for companies that are attractive to you. Tell them where you go to school, what you are studying, and that you aspire to hold a similar job to theirs. Ask them for an informational interview or if you can email them with questions.
Here is a sample message:
Hello [name of potential contact],
My name is [your name], I go to [name of university] and I study [name of major area of study]. I’m writing because you have a job similar to what I hope to pursue after graduation. Do you have 10 minutes to talk about your career and how you ended up in your position? Thanks in advance for your time.
Best,
[Your name]
“In these meetings and informational interviews, it’s important to do some research ahead of time, both about the company and the person,” said Chill. “Look through their LinkedIn profile, get an understanding of where they come from, so that you can prepare thoughtful questions.”
Networking online is a great way to:
feel more comfortable reaching out to new people
find mentors or career advisors
start building your community after signing up for LinkedIn or other career networking platforms.
Remember, your networking goals will shift with time. As a first- or second-year student, you might concentrate on creating relationships. As a junior or senior, you might be leveraging the relationships you’ve already made to find work.
“First year, all you want to do is build your network. By the time you’re a senior, you’re going to be the one building networks,” said Lesko. “First you have to find the groups, find the people that you want to be involved with and associated with. That’s your network, and that’s what networking is for.”
How to Prepare for a Networking Event
As you prepare for your first networking event, either in person or online, it’s essential to start with a strong understanding of what you can and cannot do on an F-1 visa. Understand your rights as an international citizen and what you can expect during the professional networking process. Then, make sure you can communicate your visa status, potential sponsorship requirements, and which post-study work options you legally have.
Even if you can’t work in the US, it is still valuable to network at events — you can build international relationships and practice communication skills. Set realistic expectations, and you will reach your goals.
What to Bring to an In-person Networking Event
You’ve done your research, and you know the requirements and restrictions related to your visa. Before you leave for your job fair or log on to your webinar, you should make sure you have a resume or CV available to share and that your LinkedIn profile is fresh and mistake free.
“I always recommend students have an old-fashioned business card,” said Lesko. “You can even make your own with your college logo if you’re allowed to, or [can create] your own personal brand.”
It’s also a smart idea to research business etiquette and preferred communication styles for the roles you are interested in pursuing. Working with on-campus career clubs and other professional organizations can help you learn and practice the nuances of American business etiquette, from body language to speech patterns.
“If you are at an event in your home country versus somewhere in the US versus maybe somewhere in Europe, you may have to tailor your behavior so that it is appropriate for the environment you are in,” said Chill. “It might be making sure you are dressed appropriately in professional attire, that you are comfortable with direct eye contact. Handshaking, open posture — not crossing your arms — these are important non-verbal cues.”
How to Behave at a Career Networking Event
If you are not sure of the proper etiquette, remember to follow the behavior of your contact. If they prefer to tap elbows instead of shaking hands, as became normal during COVID-19, then follow their cue. Remember, too, to separate your social persona from your professional persona, especially online. (Would you want your future employer to see your photos or read your posts?) And most importantly, remember to be authentic and truthful.
“In the heat of the moment, it’s very easy to be inauthentic, and even overstate the truth,” said Chill. “Don’t do this! Don’t lie about your skills and abilities to get yourself a role. You are setting yourself up for failure and if you get caught, you might jeopardize your career options.”
Set Realistic Goals
Don’t go into your networking event expecting to land a job. Instead, look for smaller, realistic networking opportunities.
“You need to have an outcome. Go with [up to] three specific things that you want to get out of that networking event,” said Lesko. “Don’t go there and say ‘Hi,’ and shake someone’s hand and go home — you need an objective.”
Set a goal for five new contacts or meaningful conversations. Hand your resume out to 10 people at a company you would like to work for or learn the name of a hiring manager. If you create a reasonable plan, you will leave the event feeling accomplished instead of discouraged.
After the Networking Event
If you do not stay in contact with your networking connections after the event is over, it can feel like all your hard work was for nothing. Remember to reach out after you go home to thank the people who took the time to learn more about you. Start with a thank you note and figure out a good cadence for outreach — you do not want to stalk your contact or become a nuisance.
“It’s almost like trying to become an influencer, in some ways, where you want to get people to know and remember your name, and the more you put yourself out there and introduce yourself to people, the more they’re going to know of you,” said Chill. “It’s really about building sustainable relationships, and keeping your names on their lips. You want them to walk into rooms saying your name if an opportunity comes up, because you’re first on their mind.”
Shorelight Can Help You Network
There are several reasons to network as international students. In the short term, networking can help you work on your interpersonal conversation skills, including reading body language and understanding business etiquette. Taking a longer view, networking can lead to a connection, training, or mentorship, and you may find an internship or a job as a result of networking.
Shorelight can help you develop your networking and career-readiness skills. In addition to helping students with finding the right university, admissions, visa requirements, and other enrollment responsibilities, Shorelight also offers a comprehensive list of career services such as career fairs, internships, and job interview advice.
“We want to make sure Shorelight students are the most employable students possible,” said Lesko. “We make sure they are trained, they know how to interview and network. Career services can include internships, virtual internships, training, and even things like how to join Zoom calls. We also cover the CPT and OPT placement process.”
Shorelight Career Premium services help engineering, business, and computer science majors obtain certifications, develop critical skills, and gain real-world experience. In addition, Shorelight has teamed up with partners who also offer career services to international students, such as Folio. Students can apply for a 10-week internship at a venture-backed startup in the industry of their choosing through Folio.
“More than anything, I think is important for students to remember that it’s not just everyone else’s expectations they should think about,” said Chill. “Go to these events with genuine curiosity. It’s OK to be nervous, but it’s more than just coming up with the right questions to impress the right people. Go with a genuine curiosity and an authentic desire to learn and get to know people. People can really tell the difference.”
Learn more about Shorelight Career Services >