Networking Activity

 OTHER TIPS: NETWORKING ACTIVITY

Networking Activity

Shared by: 

Yarma Velazquez-Vargas, Chicana/o Studies

Materials needed:

None

Learning challenge addressed/predictable outcome:

In-class collaboration, community building

Best used for:

Face-to-face courses

Learning objectives/skills fostered:

  • Improving public speaking skills
  • Extending thinking by sharing what they’re thinking
  • Developing workplace skills

What to do/how to do it:

  1. Explain the basics of networking. Provide students with a definition and some basic rules. Networking is an activity to create and foster relationships for mutual benefit. Some of the basics of networking that you want to share are:
    • Don’t start the conversation by asking for contact information but be sure to leave with a card or email.
    • Try to make a meaningful connection by finding a shared interest (examples: old
      cars, scrapbooking, films, an author)
    • Listen to what others have to say and ask questions
  2. Have students divide into pairs, give them one of the following scenarios, and have them practice what they learned.
    • You are at a wedding and you just realized a person at the table works for the company you want to work for
    • You are at an academic conference and the speaker teaches at the university you are considering for grad school
    • You are at a career fair at the booth of your desired employer
    • You are in class and a fellow student had a summer internship at your desired place of employment.
  3. Students should take turns being the professional or the student.
  4. End the class with a reflection. What were some good questions other asked? When did you feel the most comfortable? Where are good places to network?

Tips for implementing:

Students should develop a list of their resources. They have a hard time identifying the members of their religious congregation, neighbors or fellow students as part of their network. Helpful books and links: Wikihow on Networking Links to an external site.; “Networking for People Who Hate Networking: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected”; “Business Networking: How to Build an Awesome Professional Network: Strategies and Tactics to Meet and Build Relationships with Successful People.”