Blue Demon Approved:
College Student Networking Tips (Without the Cringe)
at DePaul University
Networking sounds intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! You don’t always need a fancy suit, a rehearsed elevator pitch (though it’s highly encouraged!), or 100 connections on LinkedIn to get started. Whether you’re trying to land an internship, a fun opportunity, build career confidence or simply learn something new from someone, here are some tips I use to connect with people without feeling “weird” about it.
How to Send a Great Cold Email or Message
Yes, you can message someone you admire out of the blue and yes, they might respond! First off, why “cold message”? Simply put, it’s because you’re messaging without prior notice out of the blue (blue=cold?).
That’s why understanding the power of social media is crucial. You’re one message away from getting in touch with even a CEO. To start, keep it short and sincere: introduce yourself, mention something specific you’re looking to learn, and ask one clear question.
With this message on LinkedIn, I was able to schedule a Zoom meeting, talk about my journey and learn about theirs. Ingrid shared about her experiences at different creative agencies, what a senior copywriter role looks like and the everyday work day. It was extremely insightful and gave me a deep understanding of how agencies operate. You’d be surprised how many people want to help and are willing to share their career insights if you simply reach out!
Leveraging LinkedIn Without Feeling Awkward
There are so many things that can feel cringe, but there is a meme I’ve connected with that said “everything is cringe until it clicks”. We often wear a mask for our online and IRL (in real life) interactions, but we miss out on sharing who we genuinely are when we do. Share your work!
LinkedIn doesn’t have to be ultra “professional” and can actually serve to make you stand out from the rest of career career-focused individuals on there. Don’t drop a photo dump, of course, but share some photos from a recent gallery you visited or panel you attended. Refining your profile can be simple too if you treat it like a digital portfolio: upload a nice photo, update your experience, and post once in a while about your classes or projects. Add people you meet at events or in class, and engage with their posts if something resonates. You don’t need to go viral….just be real (which often goes viral on LinkedIn, funny enough).
Attending Events Solo (And Making the Most of It)
Showing up to a mixer alone? That’s bold, but in a good way! Focus on having one or two meaningful conversations instead of trying to “work the room.” Ask someone what they’re studying, what brought them to the event, or what they’re working on.
This one is hardest for me and I often find myself letting things happen “organically”. This often ends up feeling a bit isolating because if you have that mindset…it may never happen! Sometimes, it’s okay to keep it simple and ask at least one person what they’re interested in learning or meeting before you leave.
Not sure where to start? Visit the DePaul Career Center, where you can get help touching up your resume, taking professional headshots, get general networking advice and more!
Visit DePaul’s Career Center
Marco Garcia | IG: AstroTheProtege | First-Generation Latino Digital Marketing Student