When it comes to overseas education, there is a lot of talk about networking while studying abroad. Everyone talks about the need for effective networking as an international student and how it opens new doors for you. I absolutely agree and yes, networking is a powerful tool. However, why does no one talk about how to network effectively?
Advantages of Networking for International Students
- Helps in Overcoming the Cultural Shock
- Facilitates New Academic and Professional Opportunities
Creating a powerful network that includes university professors, alumni, human resource managers at companies, founders and freelancers will unlock endless possibilities. You never know which resource person comes in handy in a given situation.
Whether it is about collaborating on projects, finding an internship, doing a research project or starting a passion project, a great network will support you all through!
- Personal Growth
A network of dedicated, ambitious, well-learned and curious individuals around you will certainly spark personal growth. You will find so much motivation to challenge your comfort zone in a network of persistent and goal-oriented people.
When you network with people who have strong soft skills, have some great ideas and are driven to achieve, it affects you positively. Having said that, choose your circle wisely!
- Association with Like-Minded Individuals
Worthwhile networking also means that you come across like-minded individuals with whom you can collaborate for short-term engagement or long-term projects. Let’s say you’re a first-year computer science student at Imperial College London.
Now, imagine you go to a computer science competition and meet computer science enthusiasts from across the globe. Eventually, you become friends with 3 to 4 individuals from different countries who go on to be your partners in your tech project or passion project. This project further scales into a startup and then a successful business venture years later. This is the true power of strong and meticulous networking.
Now that you know how advantageous it is to do proactive networking and how it can be game-changing, let’s find out how to network like a pro!
Networking While Studying Abroad: Actionable Tips
- Attend Orientation Sessions
- Join College Clubs
Another great way to network effectively and with people who share the same interests is to join college clubs. It is up to you whether you want to join the coding club or the debating club, depending on your interests. That’s exactly where you find people who share the same passion as you do. It could be the perfect start for meaningful collaborations to create something extraordinary.
In fact, you should join as many clubs as you want, as per your interests. Clubs are not only great for networking but also offer great room for learning, creativity and development of professional skills.
- Make the Most of LinkedIn
If you are still not on LinkedIn or realizing its potential, you are certainly missing out on so much! LinkedIn is such a powerful tool for students to network globally and make connections that can be game-changing.
Imagine you can already be in touch with the professors and students at your dream university even before you land. Besides, LinkedIn can be your perfect place to either find internships directly or connect with people who can facilitate internship opportunities for you.
In fact, credible sources suggest that more than 80 per cent of employers (or more) screen candidates by vetting their LinkedIn profiles. This tells you a simple fact. Having a LinkedIn account and maintaining it proactively is looked at as a matter of professional diligence. If you have a functional LinkedIn profile, you are likely to get brownie points when it comes to screening for internships. Needless to say, internships are pure gold for you while studying overseas.
Hence, LinkedIn not only helps to network but also facilitates professional success. There is a huge possibility that you may find your first internship opportunity or your first job via LinkedIn. It is eventually about the network you create for yourself on the platform.
- Internships and Job Shadowing
As I see it, networking and making industry connections are two different things. In the general sense, we talk about networking without really emphasising making industry connections. However, it is essential that a part of your networking effort is dedicated to making industry-specific connections. The question is, what do industry-specific connections imply?
Although it is self-explanatory but let me explain so we are on the same page. If you are pursuing a program in artificial intelligence, you need to make connections in the arena of tech and AI that can help you find a job at a later stage.
Similarly, if you are pursuing a BBA, you need to make connections that will lead you to your next paid internship or your first job. Hence, having connections that are relevant to your career domain is what it means to have industry connections.
The best way to make industry connections is to go for internships and job shadowing experiences. That is how you get exposed to that circle and start picking connections that are going you help you professionally.
So, that’s all about why networking matters and how to network while studying abroad. If you are an international student or will soon be one, remember to act on these tips to unlock new opportunities for yourself. All the best!
Author Bio : Shivam Garg
As an entrepreneur working in the domain of education with the vision of empowering young learners to be future leaders, I love to share my insights and views quite passionately through my pieces of content which too are aimed at bringing a positive difference. With 10 plus years of experience entrepreneurship, mentoring and writing, there is a lot I have to share with the youngsters around.
shivam.garg092@gmail.com
