Networking for the non-traditional student

Almost three out of four college students in the United States are considered non-traditional. This means that in addition to going to college, students are faced with the responsibilities of a job, a family, only having time for part-time enrollment—or a combination of all three (NPR, 2010). If you fall into this category, it can be a struggle to have time to meet people and get the same networking opportunities as traditional students. That’s why you have to take certain steps while you’re in class as well as go online to build your professional relationships.

Networking without the nonsense in three steps

Making time to get to know strangers can be hard to fit in your schedule when you’re struggling to make time for your own family, career and school. But by setting aside some time to get to know your instructors and fellow college students, you can optimize the benefits of your college education. According to MIT’s Global Education & Career Development Center (2010), “an estimated 60-80% of jobs are found informally through networking...” To increase your chances of becoming part of this statistic:

1. Be on time and prepared for class
   Are you getting those annoyed looks from other students and the instructor when you walk into class late all the time? By arriving late to your college courses, you’re setting yourself up for a bad first impression and professional image before you even introduce yourself to your instructor and classmates. Some tips for helping students obtain a good reputation for being punctual include: packing what you need the night before, leaving home or work at the same time every day, and communicating any commitments that might get in the way of your classes to your instructors and fellow classmates.
2. Interact with students and teachers
   Are you the one who sits in the corner and rarely participates in class discussions? This approach isn’t getting you anywhere. According to Business Insider (2010), networking is about “building real relationships, actively maintaining them, and giving as much as you take.” That’s why it’s important to be outgoing, meet people and make sure to clue them in on your interests now and what you would like to do after you graduate. Doing this could be a step toward landing your next job.
3. Be involved
   Do you remember everybody you went to school with? Probably not. But, by joining professional networks, you’ll have the opportunity to keep in contact with those you’ve networked with even after you’ve received you degree. Professional networks come in many forms, such as organizations that are filled with like-minded students who understand the importance of networking and have several events that help make it easier. You can find more information about these through your college’s website.

When time is an issue, online networks can be the most efficient. They allow you to connect with your school, instructors and classmates through social media. Setting up your profile on professional networking sites like LinkedIn® takes little time and puts you, your skills, education and work history within easy access of all your networking conacts who use it.

As a non-traditional student, maximizing your time is just as important as networking. So make sure to use your personal judgment as to what strategies are best for the time you have to spend networking, what makes sense for your degree and what will keep your college experience aligned with your professional goals.

LinkedIn is a registered trademark of LinkedIn Corp.

References

Male, B. (2010, April 29). How to network like a pro. Business Insider.

Networking. (2010, March). MIT Global Education & Career Development Center.

Typical college student no longer so typical. (2010, August 24). NPR: National Public Radio.