#networkingforstudents

Today marks the end of my three week course on personal branding with Lindenwood University professor, Jill Falk. It seems that you never realize how much you learned until it is over. Most people realize this around the time of New Year’s Eve when they are inclined to reflect on the past year they lived. (And then proceed to get so drunk they forget stepping into the New Year.)

I felt the class was relatively introductory for those who already have a brand established online. For anyone who hasn’t established a social media presence, a class such as Jill’s “Creating and Maintaining your Online Personal Brand” is straight up the best decision they could ever make for themselves. There was a lot of emphasis on social media, yes, but more importantly coming out of this class was the emphasis on networking with people in your industry. Social media sites have allowed people to network in ways they never could before and that’s awesome for the little guppies in the pond (students) who don’t have a presence in their desired fields yet.

Networking while in School

Students in college (even younger) are being pushed to network while still in school. It usually isn’t the “norm” for students to think about networking so young, but now that it’s so easy to do so it’s dumb not to. It reminds me of this episode from Daria (Season 2: “Gifted”) where she is invited to an informational meeting at a school called Grove Hills for “gifted” students.

Helen: Daria, I’m so proud of you, honey. Grove Hills. The friends you make there could really launch your career.

Daria: And why study when you can network?

Networking is one way for students to get ahead in the job search. It’s a dog-eat-dog world (well actually, I’ve never seen a dog eat another dog) where if you have a connection you’re more likely to get the job and make the bank required to pay off those ridiculously high student loan debts/buy the latest Apple product. I scored a sweet internship through networking and using Twitter, and already because of that experience I am less fearful for my job search once I’m thrown out of the schooling system into the “real world” where adults have jobs and bills ferment in your mailbox (if only we could throw them in the spam inbox).

Connecting with your Peers

The best thing coming out of this class was that I got to build a community, and a network with a classroom of my peers. That’s more connections on LinkedIn, more followers on Twitter, and more people to throw a friendly smile to when passing in the hall. You’ll never know where these people are going to go in life, and sometimes it is nice to hang around for the ride.

Jim Courtois: thatonejimguy

thatonejimguy and I at a roller derby event

For example: Our professor Jill actually had brought in one of my friends, Jim Courtois (of “thatonejimguy” notoriety) to speak to our class. Never in a million years did I think one of my friends would be doing a speaking arrangement for a personal branding class. Jim actually just interviewed at a digital marketing firm a street across from the one I work at. Jim has those connections I want, and I built a friendship with him when he was still attending school with me. You never know where your peers are going, so build those friendships now because sometimes you will need a helping hand. Just remember that to get you must give as well.

“The successful networkers I know, the ones receiving tons of referrals and feeling truly happy about themselves, continually put the other person’s needs ahead of their own” ~ Bob Burg

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Jill also brought in these great guest speakers as well:

• @KammieK: LinkedIn aficionado, personal branding diva @ ASU
• @RizzoTees,  Past co-worker of mine recently nominated as the best “twitterer” in St. Louis by the RFT!

Check them out on Twitter

and feel free to ask them any questions you might have!

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