Getting through your 20s certainly is hard. You’re fresh out of college & eager to make an impact in the world—but you’re not entirely sure how to go about it. However, one thing’s for sure and that’s that a professional network is useful for any job. Beyond collecting business cards or adding connections on LinkedIn, you need to create genuine relationships. These will open doors for you down the line. Here are three ways to build a strong professional network in your 20s. It’s never too early to start making connections and your 20s are the perfect decade for you to do so!
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Use University Alumni Networks
Those alumni mixers your college kept emailing you about are great for networking since alumni are usually keen to help out fellow grads. These events are often less intimidating because you already have something in common. Think of it as meeting a friend of a friend. You don’t have as much initial awkwardness because you share a connection!
Engage in Industry-Specific Online Forums
Online forums & groups give you access to a group of people who are all into the same nerdy stuff as you but in a professional context. For example, you have Reddit and many industry-specific platforms to check out. Whatever you choose, getting involved in these discussions puts you on the radar of people who matter in your field. They’ll be able to help you in the future.
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Utilize LinkedIn Wisely
Similarly, LinkedIn is useful for more than simply job hunting as you can use it to show off your insights & join interesting conversations. You’ll connect with people who share your professional interests. When you’re on there, the trick is to be active. Remember that you’re not merely collecting connections like they’re Pokémon and instead, you want to start genuine relationships.
Volunteer for Professional Organizations
While most of us know volunteering does good, it’s also a way of networking with a heart. Helping out at events or with projects for professional organizations puts you in the same room as potential mentors & peers. They’ll see firsthand how great you are! Best of all, it feels great to contribute to something you care about and that’s always useful at work.
Attend Workshops and Seminars
Workshops & seminars help you learn and they come with the added bonus of meeting people who are just as curious as you are. Really, being in a room full of people eager to learn something new will create a bond between you all. Push yourself out of your comfort zone! Sure, speaking with strangers is hard—but it’s oh-so-rewarding at the same time.
Start a Professional Blog or Podcast
Starting a blog or podcast gives you a platform to share your thoughts & experiences. Eventually, it invites other people to interact with your content because they understand what you have to say. There are no rules when you make it yourself! In doing so, you’ll establish that you’re a thought leader & attract a network of like-minded professionals.
Participate in Local Meetups and Networking Events
Local meetups & events are your chance to shine in person and they’re often more laid-back than formal networking events. As such, you can be yourself while meeting people in your field and it’s essentially a way of socializing with a purpose. You’re there to make friends who also happen to share your professional interests so you’ll definitely make some good connections on the way.
Join a Co-working Space
Co-working spaces are the coffee shops that every professional needs to visit. They’re packed with freelancers, entrepreneurs & other professionals who are all doing their own thing—but together. As such, it’s a great place for sudden encounters. You’ll get to have some casual coffee break conversations that might lead to meaningful connections. Plus, being around other people will help you to feel less alone.
Offer to Help Others
Networking doesn’t always have to involve what you can get as what you give is just as important. Naturally, offering your skills or help to someone else creates a strong bond. It shows that you’re a team player and so people are more likely to be interested in what you have to say. The other person will remember your good deeds. So, they’ll likely be there for you in the future—it’s a win-win!
Seek Out Mentorship
Most people don’t realize how useful having a mentor can be as a professional. They’ve been where you are—so they’ll give you invaluable advice & introductions to help you get to the same position! Don’t be shy about reaching out to people you admire. In fact, most people will be flattered. They’ll be happy to share their wisdom and especially if you’re genuine in your approach.
Attend Industry Conferences
Conferences are the big leagues of networking since they involve people from all over who are serious about their careers. Everyone there is eager to connect! You should make the most of it by attending talks & participating in workshops—and yes, even going to social events. Really, you never know who you’ll meet over coffee or cocktails. Go ahead and socialize!
Follow Up and Stay in Touch
Building a network isn’t a one-time action as you need to maintain those connections. A simple follow-up message after meeting someone helps quite a lot—don’t forget to check in now & then, too. It keeps the relationship alive by showing you genuinely value the connection. Other people will see you as a professional. They’ll be ready to continue the relationship beyond immediate benefits.
Be Genuine and Authentic
At the end of the day, the best networking advice is to just be yourself because people are drawn to authenticity. They can usually tell when you’re not being real! The connections worth having are those that appreciate you for who you are so don’t try to fake it away. Don’t you want to be around people who align with your values & career ambitions?
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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