MOMENTUM - November 2023 - 30

CAREER
CORNER
EASY NETWORKING FOR
ENGINEERING STUDENTS
NETWORKING-IT'S QUITE THE BUZZ WORD. Rightly so, since
it can serve as a powerful tool to help expand your professional
portfolio. The earlier you start, the better, so embrace these
inspirational tips and start building your future!
DO YOU AVOID LARGE-SCALE NETWORKING?
" An introvert's worst nightmare is to be stuck in a large room
full of strangers and forced to talk, " according to a recent
LinkedIn post. This line made me chuckle because, as an
introvert, it painfully resonated. I dread the " typical "
networking scenario of making small chit chat with strangers.
Whether this feels familiar or whether you're perfectly content
with large scale networking, I have great news-networking
comes in multiple forms and modes!
Networking doesn't have to be about making small talk with
groups of strangers or intimidating people. Sometimes,
students and professionals avoid networking because:
* It is too time-consuming.
* They don't want to feel out of place.
* They don't realize the long-term benefits.
* They're afraid of what others will think.
* They don't know what networking looks like other than
awkward attempts to talk to strangers.
Guess what? Networking spans way beyond forced
conversations in a giant room of people. You've probably been
networking in some fashion, and you don't even know it.
NETWORKING MECHANISMS
Besides large network gatherings, there are other, more subtle
ways you can take advantage of connecting with people.
Networking opportunities exist in large and small places,
including:
* College campuses: It can be easier to approach professors,
teaching assistants, university staff, and classmates one at
a time.
* Internships: Generate professional contacts with
management and colleagues, even if they work in a
different department.
* Guest lecturers or special events: Share one or two
takeaways with someone in the audience and ask them
what they learned from the talk.
* Career fairs: Ask questions about companies, then collect
contact information from recruiters, management, and
human resources representatives afterwards.
* Social media: Reach out to professors or working
professionals in your field of interest, let them know you
admire their work, and ask if they're willing to answer
questions about their experiences.
Effective networking does not have to occur face-to-face. In
fact, some of the best connections you will ever make will
happen remotely!
MY TOP TWO NETWORKING TIPS
Tip #1: Play professional cupid. Networking isn't just about
with whom you make connections. It's also about connecting
people to each other-sort of like playing professional cupid.
Think of people you know who would benefit from an
introduction to each other. If you think it's a good fit, ask
permission and make the initial introductions.
Tip #2: Ask starter questions. These are questions that prompt
people to talk about themselves and their experiences. People
generally enjoy talking about their journeys, so try starting
conversations with:
* " What did/are you studying and why? "
* " If you could have done something differently, what would
that be and why? "
* " What is your biggest challenge as you plan your
immediate and long-term future? "
There is no right or wrong way to network, so choose
options that feel natural to you! n
Written by Gina Covarrubias, engineering life coach, speaker, and author. Gina Covarrubias holds a B.S. in Aeronautical
and Astronautical Engineering (Purdue University), an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (University of Utah), and is a
certified life coach. Gina's distinctive background blends life coaching expertise with 14+ years of engineering/
technology experience in government, academia, and corporate aerospace. She founded Deliberate Doing, an exclusive
STEM coaching service dedicated to helping technical professionals transform their careers from status quo to
excellence. Find free career resources for students and professionals on her website, deliberatedoing.com, and consider
following her on YouTube and LinkedIn for even more career guidance!
30 November 2023
MOMENTUM

https://deliberatedoing.com/ https://youtube.com/@deliberatedoing https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginacovarrubias

MOMENTUM - November 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MOMENTUM - November 2023