College student's guide to navigating networking like a pro

Contributed by Ashley Dalsing, PRSA Central Iowa newsletter chair

As a college student--sometimes all you hear from mentors, professors and career development is, “Network, network, network!”

And while they’re right—it can be intimidating, right? Talking to strangers isn’t easy. But with a little preparation and practice, you can be the college student networking pro at the next professional event or conference you attend.

Here’s how:

1. Have a goal. Ask yourself why you are attending the event. If it’s for the free snacks and drinks--you might as well not go. Have a goal to meet three new people, find a mentor, or even learn about company summer internship programs.
2. Dress to impress. Obvious--but true. Don’t show up in the jeans you wore out to the bar last Saturday. Grab a suit and tie, knee-length dress or suit that’s comfortable to you.
3. Listen first, then speak. Networking brings out all kinds of nerves--like interrupting when someone is still talking, or tuning out once you reach for the handshake. Take a deep breath before you go up, introduce yourself and listen to the other person until it’s an appropriate time to speak.
4. Question away. People love talking about themselves and what they do. Here are a few questions to get you started:
1. How do you like working for your company?
2. What is your role and what are some projects or tasks you are assigned to work on?
3. How did you get involved within the field you are in today?
5. Take notes and send thank you’s. By far the most important section. When you are networking with many different people--odds are you will forget a lot of the information. Taking notes help. And, if you happen to get a business card or two, follow up with a thank you note and use the notes to include within that dialogue.

Now that you have what it takes to network like a pro, consider joining us for the 2018 OctoPRfest event on Thursday, Oct. 18 from 8 a.m. to 4  p.m. at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Downtown Des Moines.

Click here to learn more about the speaker lineup and day-long agenda.

Interested? Students only pay $50. Register here.

We hope to see you there, and we look forward to networking with you.