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THE NEW NETWORKING GUIDE
Making networking easier than ever
by Katie Gaebel, Ph.D., Agriculture Future of America Director of Programs
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W
ithin the past year, making
connections and gaining
experience in careers became
increasingly difficult. With cancelled
career fairs, internships and
conferences it’s challenging for college
students to find opportunities to build
or expand their networks. It’s difficult
enough to land that first internship or
job in a normal world. Add in the factor
of limited personal connection and it’s a
recipe for stress.
There’s no need to fret, though.
When you build a healthy network of
individuals to help you gain new skills
and stay connected to opportunities
in the industry, you set yourself up
for success. When you proactively
prioritize networking, you’re sure to get
plugged in to more opportunities. While
opportunities to meet face-to-face are
limited, new and creative opportunities
to connect with others and build
networks have risen from the ashes of
the pandemic.
Here are twelve tips to keep
your networking skills sharp.
Start from the ground up
Take a few minutes to think about
those who have impacted your life
thus far. Teachers, professors, public
speakers, friends and family shaped you
into the person you are today. Let these
people know the impact they have on
your life. Reaching out to professors to
let them know you enjoyed their class or
connecting with an industry professional
you admire through LinkedIn are great
ways to begin building your network.
Remember their name
One of the easiest ways to
make a connection with someone
is by remembering their name. After
someone introduces themselves,
address them by their name throughout
the conversation to make it more
personable. Even on video chats and
emails, addressing them when you
begin to speak or including their name
at the beginning of an email will stand
out.
Use your network
Your personal connections are
powerful and when utilized, they can
lead to a plethora of new opportunities.
If you are speaking to someone who
suggests you reach out to another
individual, take their advice and act
on it. Ask for contact information and
take time to contact the individual and
be sure to let them know who sent you
to establish immediate mutuality. You
can also ask your connection to make
an introduction on your behalf. You
can even bring up names of individuals
in your personal network that have a
connection to the employer or company
you are interviewing with. Studies have
reported that most employees were
hired as a result of someone making an
introduction or connection, so it is worth
your time to build your network in this
way.
Apply for jobs
No matter what stage you are in
your college career, job applications are
ever-present. As a junior, start applying
to jobs even if the likelihood of landing
the job seems improbable. However, be
transparent about your intended start
date for employment. Getting your name
out there is the only way for employers
to know you exist. If you don’t get the
job, an employer will likely keep your
name in the back of their mind and think
of you when other positions open.
Adapt to the virtual world
Embracing the virtual world is
critical to cultivating a vibrant network.
Although the virtual world comes with
its own set of hiccups, it provides a
wonderful opportunity for introverts and
extroverts alike to thrive through online
outreach and connection. You might not
be able to shake someone’s hand and
give a hearty “thank you” in person, but
you can follow up with a personalized
message through LinkedIn or email to
showcase your appreciation and make a
lasting impression.
Find your affinity
One of the most unique parts of
agriculture is the diverse community
of individuals working toward
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