RELATIONSHIPS AND NETWORKING

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MAINTAINING A STRONG ONLINE PRESENCE

Before you even step into a room, your online presence might already be shaping how others see you. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile can help you stand out, communicate your interests, and stay connected with the people you meet. Start by uploading a clear, professional photo and writing a headline that says more than just your school and year. Your summary should offer a brief glimpse into what you care about and where you’re headed. As you gain experience, keep your profile updated with roles and accomplishments that reflect growth and initiative. Public interaction such as sharing projects, responding to posts, or highlighting work you admire can make you more visible and engaged. If you're working on creative or technical projects, a simple website or portfolio might also be worth building. And every now and then, it's helpful to search your own name to see what others might find. In the end, your online presence doesn’t need to be flashy. It should just feel like an honest reflection of who you are and what you're building toward.

JOINING STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Student groups are one of the most meaningful ways to grow during college. They offer space to meet new people, explore interests, and take on real responsibility. Choosing where to spend your time can be tricky, especially with so many options. It helps to start with what feels purposeful. Some groups will connect directly to your academic or professional goals. Others might offer community, creative outlets, or ways to give back. Either way, focus on a few where you feel genuinely invested. Look for roles that let you contribute to something bigger, like planning events, running programs, or shaping team decisions. These are often the experiences that stay with you and come up in interviews later on. At the same time, be mindful of what you can realistically commit to. If an activity starts to feel like a checkbox instead of a source of energy, it’s okay to step back. Being selective with your time doesn’t mean doing less. It means creating room to do the things that matter most, and doing them well.

CRAFTING AN EFFECTIVE ELEVATOR PITCH

It’s not always easy to talk about yourself, but knowing how to introduce who you are and what you're interested in can be incredibly useful. An elevator pitch is just that—a short, confident introduction for the moments when someone asks what you’re working on, what you care about, or what you’re hoping to do next. Think of it as a way to start a real conversation. You might begin with your name and concentration, then briefly mention something you’ve been involved in that reflects your interests. If there’s something specific you’re looking for (a summer role, advice, or even just a connection) it’s okay to say so. But don’t worry about making it perfect. What matters most is that it sounds like you. A natural, thoughtful introduction is far more memorable than something overly polished. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to share your story in a way that feels right for you and the moment you're in.

Get Valuable Tips & Advice

HOW TO BUILD A NETWORK

Step One

REACH OUT TO YOUR "WARM" CIRCLE

Think professors, former internship managers, classmates, and even family friends. These are the people most likely to help you early on. A simple message like, “I’m starting my job search in [industry]. Would you be open to a quick chat?” goes a long way. The advice these people have to offer is valuable.

Step Two

LINKEDIN IS YOUR ALLY

Like it or not, recruiters live there. Keep your profile up to date, write a headline that says what you’re looking for, and connect with people you admire in your field. Even a short “I love the work your company is doing – would you be open to connecting?” can spark a conversation. Above all, be personable and show your interest!

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

The Importance of Relationships

Relationships are at the heart of any career. Skills and credentials may open doors, but it is relationships that often determine how far you go once inside. Building meaningful professional relationships is not about charm or manipulation; it is about cultivating genuine connections that support growth, collaboration, and trust. Unlike networking, which can sometimes carry the reputation of being transactional, relationship-building is about depth, not breadth. It requires patience, empathy, and reciprocity.

COFFEE CHATS

A coffee chat is usually an ‘informal’ (meaning not an official interview) meeting with professionals pertinent to your career trajectory. While coffee chats are considered ‘informal,’ they are still incredibly important and not to be underestimated. Most commonly, coffee chats are with employees at the company you are recruiting for. They can range from junior to senior level professionals, and the structure varies with each individual. While less common, coffee chats can also be arranged with retired professionals, or individuals not directly involved with your recruiting process but do have helpful information. Before getting into the details of how to approach a coffee chat, it is important to understand why you should even be reading this—what makes a coffee chat worth an entire section in this guide?

There are two main reasons behind the significance of a coffee chat. The first is personal to you. Do you actually want to work for this firm? What are the hours, the culture, the ethics behind the brand? Coffee chats allow you to ask questions 1:1 to people with different experiences at the company. This provides insight into the true culture and workflow, allowing you to assess if the company is the right fit for you. On the other hand, coffee chats are evaluative of you, the person asking the questions. Are you professional, did you prepare well, can you make conversation and make 15 minutes seem like 5? Whether an explicit process in the company or not, each coffee chat is evaluative of you, and reflects your character to the person across from you. Making a good impression could be the difference between a recommendation to the company’s recruiting team or not. So, we get it—coffee chats are important because they are a reciprocally evaluative process. But what should you actually expect, and how can you prepare for them? Let’s go over a few foundational bits of information to keep in mind.

GUIDELINES

COFFEE?

Despite the word ‘coffee’ in the name, coffee chats almost always are sans the coffee, and oftentimes aren’t even in a coffee shop. Usually these calls take place in an office or over Zoom, and they really just stand for ‘1:1 15-minute chat.’

NETWORK

Getting a coffee chat differs based on the company, time, and purpose. Some companies, during active recruiting, will offer links to sign up for coffee chats. Other times, it is up to you to reach out to individuals at the company and ask for a chat to learn more about their work. No matter the starting case, it is usually a good practice to chat with 2-3 people per company. Not only is it informative for you, but it also shows your demonstrated interest and commitment.

FORMAT

Traditionally a coffee chat is a blank slate, and you are expected to fill the time with thoughtful questions. Also make sure to bring a copy of your resume, and have it on hand if asked. Sometimes, depending on the company, the coffee chat is reversed and represents an informal interview of you and your interest in the company. Always be prepared to talk about yourself, just in case!

DRESS

Usually it is best to wear business casual or business formal to a coffee chat. Unless explicitly stated that it is casual, don’t wear what you normally would to class. Most importantly when deciding what to wear is to research your firm’s etiquette beforehand and ask other peers (reddit can also be helpful, too).

THE FOUNDATION OF TRUST

At the core of any strong relationship lies trust. Without it, connections remain shallow and fragile. Trust is built gradually, often through consistency. When you follow through on promises, respect others’ time, and show integrity in your work, people begin to see you as dependable.

Trust also grows through openness. Being willing to admit what you do not know, to acknowledge mistakes, and to show humility makes you approachable. People do not expect perfection; they expect honesty. In fact, being overly polished or guarded can sometimes hinder relationships. True rapport forms when both parties feel comfortable being themselves, including their vulnerabilities.

A useful way to think about trust is as a bank account. Every positive action: delivering on a task, listening attentively, showing support—makes a deposit. Every broken promise or sign of disregard is a withdrawal. Over time, those deposits create a strong balance that can weather inevitable challenges

CONCLUSION

Building relationships is both an art and a discipline. It requires patience, empathy, and consistency. It is not about collecting contacts or positioning yourself strategically at every moment, but about cultivating trust, listening deeply, and sustaining connections over time.

If networking is about opening doors, then relationships are about walking through those doors together. They are the threads that weave a career into something more than a series of jobs. They make it a journey filled with people who challenge, support, and inspire you.