When I first arrived at Lehigh, I had never done anything close to networking before. As a freshman, I didn't have industry connections, a resume, or even a LinkedIn account. What I did have, however, was a clear objective: I wanted to set myself up for success, and I knew that to do that, I would need to put myself out there.
During my first week on campus, I saw a flier for an event in the BIB and figured that I might as well check it out. When I arrived, I was surrounded by upperclassmen in suits and ties who sounded like they had their entire lives figured out. As they talked about internships, recruitment timelines, and career paths I had never even heard of, I considered quietly slipping out of the room.
Instead, I stayed.
That night, I introduced myself to a campus recruiter for the company that hosted the event. It was a short, admittedly awkward conversation, but it was a start. Before leaving, she told me to keep showing up to events because, in her words, "consistency pays off."
While small, it was from this point on that I began showing up to every event I could find-info sessions, speaker series, workshops, anything. Over time, I went from feeling out of place to recognizing these same professionals and having them recognize me. By consistently showing up, I began to learn what works, what doesn't, and how to turn a short conversation into a real relationship. While I still have a lot to learn, I have figured out a few things that have made networking not only feel manageable but meaningful.
Networking Tips That Actually Work (Especially if you've never done it before)
1. Show up - even when you feel underprepared.
The hardest part of networking is just getting started. Most people think they need the perfect resume or some impressive experience before they can begin talking to professionals, but this could not be further from the truth. In reality, simply showing up consistently makes a bigger impression than any elevator pitch. The more familiar your face becomes, the easier it is to have impactful conversations.
2. You don't need to have all the answers - you just need good questions.
In my experience, professionals don't expect freshmen to know everything. What stands out is curiosity and passion. Before each event, prepare a few basic questions, such as:
- What do you enjoy most about your role?
- How did you discover your career path?
- Do you have any advice for someone just starting out?
People love talking about themselves-let them. Moreover, asking thoughtful follow-up questions shows genuine interest and can make you far more memorable.
3. Follow up - because most people don't.
A simple follow-up message is a great way to set yourself apart. It shows maturity, professionalism, and appreciation. More than that, however, it refreshes the professional's memory of you and helps turn a brief conversation into a lasting connection. It doesn't need to be long or formal. A short note like: "Thank you for your time - I really valued our conversation about ___," is enough to start building a lasting connection.
4. Think long-term.
Networking isn't about securing an internship tomorrow, it's about building relationships that may open doors months-or years-down the line. The more consistently you show up, the more people begin to recognize your name and associate you with the kind of person they are looking to hire.
Ultimately, networking isn't just about knowing the right people-it's about showing up consistently and putting in the work so that the right people can get the chance to know you. I know it may seem daunting, but if you take the initiative, stay curious, and work hard, you'll be surprised how quickly doors start to open up.
