Within 24 hours, I’ve been given the impression that college students ask for jobs from alumni, without trying to start a relationship or at least network. I just got through speaking with one of my friends who is a freshman in college and we have a networking event today for our fraternity and he goes “its not gonna matter for me cuz no 1 looks for a frosh for a job or internship.”
First off, I had an internship when I was a freshman in college and even a senior in high school. There are simply no excuses and you must start early, at least by networking. Aside from this, I went to another college networking even earlier this week and I was one of the only alumni there because, let’s face it, alumni just don’t come back. They don’t come back for a simple reason and that is because they know they are going to be harassed for jobs from people who don’t care enough to learn about them. There is a perception among alumni (I conducted a survey with my network) that college students only set up these events to beg us for jobs. What’s even more frustrating is that when I go back for a social event, people are asking me for jobs!!! I’m obviously not there trying to hire students if I’m going to a social event.
Another item that turns alumni off is colleges that send numerous letters asking for donations. I believe they would never have to perform that task if they built stronger relationships with alumni when they were students. How are recent graduates going to donate money back when they are trying to get a job, and have expenses such as rent, gas, car insurance, etc. Entry-level jobs typically don’t extend more than salaries of $60,000. The average starting salary is about $35,000, which is hard to even live off of. If you’re looking for donations, then think five years from now and start building rapport with alumni when they first enter as a freshman.
Here are some tips for college students:
- Be sincere when dealing with alumni.
- Quit being so selfish and obvious when you confront us.
- Demonstrate your “soft skills.”
- Get out of your comfort zone. If you already know one of us, meet someone else.
- Have a business card on hand. There are no excuses anymore.
- If it’s a casual environment, be casual.
- Always follow-up with us afterward.
- Don’t waste our time.
- Resumes should be delivered after the event not during it. We are there to meet and communicate, not review resumes.
- We recommend friends over acquaintances.
- “What’s in it for us.”
Here are some tips for alumni
- Give college students a chance.
- You’re probably more successful than them, so give advice.
- Move around and meet as many people as you can.
- Don’t just speak with college students, go after other alumni. Alumni from your alma mater are more likely to help you succeed than from other colleges. Remember to network more outside of your company than within.
- Be comfortable telling students that your company isn’t hiring or that you aren’t the point person and they should send their resume through HR (dead-end).
Read this author's blog.
RE: “There are simply no excuses and you must start early, at least by networking. ”
You make a really arrogant assumption there, Dan.
I’m practically a first generation college graduate (my dad has an A.S. he picked up in night school). No one ever told me, networking is really important. I was taught you go to school to learn, not to socialize — you do well in school, you get a good job and move up the ladder.
Never once was I told networking trumps education every time. I learned that the hard way AFTER I got out of college. Now I’m considered one of the savviest networks in my social circle.
I think some investigative reporting on what college students think networking is and what value it brings is in order.
I can hardly be the only one who didn’t get the memo that seemed to be slipped under your pillow in college.
Zak, I’m not arrogant. My blog posts come from my experiences, thus what you’re reading is what I truly believe.
I do think networking and real world experience trumps education. Employers don’t care about GPA’s anymore. All they care about is your prior work experience and results.
I never did an internship during college, because I changed majors my junior year and didn’t have enough classes in my major between junior and senior years, which are huge internship times. Still got a job right out of college just fine, with no connections.
It depends on your career path, but you can still get jobs based on academics and personality. And my first employer definitely cared about my GPA.
I think networking helps, but it’s certainly not an end all if you haven’t done it during your entire college experience. It’s really never too late to start - and if you can build confidence in yourself you can overcome a lack of connections.
Monica, thanks for chiming in. If you’re in accounting, there is more supply than demand, where as marketing has the opposite.
Depending on the market, networking becomes increasingly important.
The idea I was getting to in this post was that networking lets you walk across a bridge rather than crawl under it.
Dan, I enjoyed the post and thanks for the link!
I completely agree about GPAs not being as important as people think because I can speak from personal experience as well. In fact, one of my professors once introduced me by saying: “Meet the man who proves that GPAs don’t mean sh*t!” (Exact words)
Maybe some people missed the memo, but I’m pretty sure everyone at some point early-on has heard:
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know!”
Cheers!
Dan, I believe you are giving a great message but unfortunatly things get lost in the written word! What we need to do in high schools and colleges is have a requirement for young people on how to better communicate with others both on a personal and workplace level. We need to teach people the art of things like networking, career decision making, what drives people (what is their passion in life), what are their streghts and abilities, aptitudes, interests, values! And for gods sake, what are their limitations (I can’t spell for example)!! We are all so critical of one another and misinterpret what our intent is and so often we meet people and decide quickly that because they ask a question that may seem inappropriate that they are a jerk, but in fact they may be nervous or have a hidden disability. But if you get to know them they may turn out to be one of the best most reliable and responsible people you would ever want to know. I am a firm believer in uniqueness, we are all diverse, some more so than others (depending on what your view is of diversity)! If we want to foster change and do something about what we see as being a problem, do something to change it, create a program on how to network - help this group of kids - like Zak said, no one ever told him networking was what needed to be done, nor did my parents. I learned from others - it works. I made my way in life because of it!
Being a person of a Diverse Community I know all to well the power of networking - it is all about who you know - and it is a great way to help others when they are in need!
Take care everyone.