November Meeting

The Power of Networking!
 

Networking is about meeting and connecting with people. Effective job seekers and recruiters must go out of their way to make new connections. Networking helps us share knowledge, ideas and learn about opportunities. It also helps us expand our network of connections, which ultimately includes potential future colleagues, employers, clients, business partner and even friends.

Discuss the following questions with your mentor/mentee:

• What's the best way to stay in contact/keep your connections "good quality" even after you move on from the job or your focus shifts (for example with co-op supervisors)?
• What’s the best advice you can give to help plan a career path rather than simply work to keep a job?
• How would you describe your personal networking style?
• Do you have a mentor outside of this program? How have they influenced you?
• How can someone who is only a few years into their career network effectively?

• How can I decide who is the right person to network with?

• What sort of questions should we be asking when networking with someone who has a lot of experience in the industry you're interested in?

• As a student without much "real" engineering work experience, how do I make meaningful connections if there should be an equal exchange in the networking relationship?

• How did you find your first job after graduation?

• What avenues did you explore to find job openings in your field?

• What role does networking play, if any, to help break into this field?

• How important is it to know someone in the industry?

• What professional associations or organizations are useful to belong to in this field?

• What magazines, journals, websites are important to read in this field?

Action Items

• Schedule your next meeting for December.
• Attend the Wrap-up Event with your fellow mentor/mentee.