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Networking tips for undergraduates
Mindset
Networking is relationship-building and learning, not “ask a stranger for a job in the first message.” University career centers consistently coach students to ask for advice and stories, then earn referrals over time.
Highest-leverage tactics
1) Use your school’s LinkedIn Alumni tool
- Open your university’s LinkedIn school page → Alumni tab.
- Filter by company, role, location, major, or skills.
- Prioritize people 1–2 steps ahead of you (recent grads, junior ICs, recruiters).
Guides:
2) Personalize every connection request
Keep it short:
Hi [Name] — I’m a [year] at [School] studying [major]. I saw you went from [School] to [Company/Role]. I’d love to hear how you made that jump — open to a 15-minute chat?
Do not lead with “Can you get me a referral?”
3) Ask for informational interviews
- 15–20 minutes, student asks questions, professional shares path.
- Prepare 5 questions (day-to-day work, skills that mattered, what they’d do as a junior now).
- Send a thank-you within 24 hours with one specific takeaway.
Guides:
4) Career fairs & info sessions
- Research 5 employers before the fair.
- 30-second intro: year, major, what you’re exploring, one relevant proof point.
- Collect next steps (apply link, recruiter name, deadline).
- Follow up the same day.
5) Warm network first
Start with people who already know your work: TAs, professors, club leads, supervisors, classmates now interning.
Weekly networking cadence (realistic)
| Day | Action |
|---|---|
| Mon | Update LinkedIn headline + about (1 pass) |
| Tue | 3 alumni searches; save 5 profiles |
| Wed | Send 2 personalized notes |
| Thu | Prep questions for any scheduled chat |
| Fri | Thank-yous + log contacts in your tracker |
Guardrails
- Never invent alumni relationships or “I know someone at X.”
- Respect “no” and don’t spam the same person.
- Keep records (name, company, date, next action).