Networking

A professional network is a group of people with whom you have connected for career or business purposes. Your network begins when you connect with someone you know, who connects you with people they know, who then connect you with people they know, and the cycle continues.

Build academic relationships

Begin creating your network with the people you meet and interact with during college. Consider your classmates, professors, teaching assistants, academic advisors, career counselors, and more!

Engage in professional experiences

Start networking with others through part-time jobs or other college involvements. Consider studying abroad, engaging with service-learning, joining student and professional organizations, or conducting informational interviews.

Attend career events

Connect with future employers now by attending a job fair or other career event! IU Indianapolis hosts a wide range of job fairs, offering opportunities in many industries for both part-time and full-time jobs.

An elevator pitch is a concise way for you to introduce yourself and your professional interests when networking in person. It typically lasts no more than 60 seconds. You can begin crafting yours by following these suggestions.

• Brainstorm: Think about the info you want in your pitch. Consider your name, your major and school, your career interests and goals, and what service you hope to or can provide an employer.
• Create your story: Once you have the information, craft it into a short story about you. Make it clear and engaging. Aim to be remembered by others for what makes you unique.
• Practice and tailor: Continue to practice your story until you feel comfortable introducing yourself in a natural way. Also be sure to tailor your pitch to different types of networking situations.

LinkedIn serves as a professional profile and a social networking tool. It can help you meet new people and maintain relationships with those you already know.

A good LinkedIn profile showcases your professional interests, skills, and experiences for all those in your network. After creating a profile, be sure to connect with those you know on a professional level and ask previous employers or co-workers for a recommendation. Then explore the platform for jobs, educational opportunities, and more!

What should go in a LinkedIn profile?

• Profile image: This can be any picture of you with a plain background and a professional outfit.
• Headline: Include what you’re studying currently doing, or professionally excited about.
• Summary: Briefly describe your motivations, your skills, and your career goals.
• Experience: List each of your experiences, including your achievements during each. Volunteer experiences can be included too!
• Education: Input your education, starting with your collegiate experience.
• Skills: List your most valuable skills and work to have others endorse you for those.
• Certifications: List any licenses or certifications received during programs, training, etc.
• Projects: Talk about contributions you made as a leader or team member to significant projects.
• Honors and awards: Provide an outline of your achievements for which you’ve been recognized.

Looking for more tips and support to build a network that can help you reach your professional goals? Reach out to your school's career services office!