networking
Why Network?
Networking is an invaluable tool because you get to learn about a field from professionals with firsthand experience. Most professionals, particularly alumni, are eager to help students gain a foothold in a field or career path.
Rather than viewing networking interactions as transactional, consider it a way to explore potential career opportunities, develop professional relationships, and gain insight that can help you stand out as a candidate.
Locating Contacts
On LinkedIn, you can access a network of 18,000+ Eckerd alumni. Check out our LinkedIn resource to set up your account before reaching out to alumni!
Career Contacts is a list of alumni and professionals who have signed up specifically to offer industry knowledge and advice to students and alumni! You can connect with them on TritonTrack.
Ask your network! Your family, friends, and Eckerd community can be a great resource for locating contacts.
Professional Presence
Consider the professional story you want to convey. Rather than just saying "I'm a Psychology major at Eckerd," consider noting your motivations, goals, and past experiences. For example:
I'm a Psychology major interested in how animal-assisted therapy can be utilized in PTSD treatments. I have become increasingly involved in this through my Animal Studies minor and work as a Pet Life RA. Moving forward, I'm seeking potential shadowing opportunities with mental health professionals in this field.
Your headshot can enhance your professional story. If you need a headshot, you can schedule a professional photo shoot via TritonTrack. Taking charge of your professional presence includes your profile pictures on networking platforms. Having no photo can dissuade engagement and affect your credibility.
Reaching Out
Be clear about why you’re reaching out to them! For example, you might be seeking insight into a specific field or advice about entering the field as a recent graduate.
On LinkedIn, messaging a contact that you’re not connected with requires a premium account. A way to work around this, is to connect with the professional and add a note to the connection request – keep in mind that these notes are restricted to 200 characters. Here’s an example:
Hello! I’m a junior at Eckerd, and currently exploring career opportunities I can pursue as a Geosciences major. Would you be willing to schedule a call to discuss your experience in the field?
Need Assistance?
Meet with a Career Advisor for assistance with with any step of the networking process!
Preparing for the Conversation
Whether you locate the contact via LinkedIn, Career Contacts, a family member, or a professor, make sure to do your research prior to meeting with them!
Look at their LinkedIn profile and company website. Remember, you will be the one guiding the conversation so you’ll want to have a list of questions prepared. Look at their LinkedIn profile / company website so that you don’t ask questions that can be discovered there, such as where they went to school. Instead, a more in-depth question would be: “Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree, and how has it prepared you for the work you’re currently doing?”
You’re talking to someone who has valuable insight so make the best use of the conversation by asking what you’d really like to know! Here are a few suggestions:
What do you wish you’d known when you were first starting in this field?
If they hire candidates: What do you notice in the applications of successful candidates? What common application mistakes negatively impact candidates?
Do you have any advice for someone looking to start a career in this field?
Do you have any recommendations for other people that might be willing to offer advice? Note that you can make this question as specific as possible. For example: You mentioned that environmental biologists also work in project management. Do you know any people doing this work that I could contact to learn more?
During the call, be respectful of their time. If you're nearing the end of your scheduled time, check in
After the Conversation
Follow up with a message thanking them for their time, and reiterating key takeaways. For example,
Dear Amy,
Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today about your fieldwork. I learned so much about the different aspects of marine research work - I didn't realize how much fieldwork data impacted policy! As discussed, I'm looking forward to keeping in touch and staying updated with your work. Best of luck with your research!
If the conversation goes well and you want to continue a professional relationship with the contact, set a reminder to reach out to them periodically. You can share updates, articles, and schedule follow-up calls.