A student’s guide to mastering networking skills

Networking isn’t just about attending industry events and collecting business cards. It actually begins much earlier. According to Elisha: "Networking starts the moment you walk into campus." 

Your first day at university is the perfect opportunity to start building relationships with peers who will be on this journey with you for the next few years. These connections not only shape your university experience but could also play a key role in your future career.  

After all, as Elisha emphasised, "there’s a chance that they could be a hiring manager for a job you really want someday.” 

As you progress through university, networking opportunities will naturally expand. “By your second and third years, you’ll begin meeting industry professionals, which is where your networking skills will really start to pay off,” Elisha explained.  

A great first step is to attend a campus career fair or event as it’s a low-pressure environment full of people who are already motivated to speak to you. Elisha suggested: "If you're feeling nervous, start small. Pop into a career fair and introduce yourself to a couple of people. Remember, they want to speak with you too." 

One common myth that students often believe is that they need to have everything figured out before they can network. Elisha disputed this: saying it’s perfectly fine if you don’t know what to say when someone asks about your plans post-graduation. You don’t need to have it all figured out. 

Instead of seeing networking as a time to show off or impress others, Elisha advised using it as an opportunity to learn: "You can say, 'I’m still trying to figure it out. Can you tell me a bit about your role? What do you do?' This approach allows you to engage in meaningful conversations and gain valuable insights.” 

Elisha also recommended having a couple of generic questions in your back pocket, such as, ‘How did you get started in your career?’ This is a great question to get someone talking and open up further conversation.  

Additionally, if you're at an industry-specific event, try asking, ‘What do you think is the next biggest development in our sector that I should be aware of?’ These questions can help spark insightful discussions. 

If you know who will be attending the event, researching and connecting with people on LinkedIn in advance can also help break the ice when you meet them in person. A simple, ‘Hi, I dropped you a message on LinkedIn,’ can make for an easy conversation starter. 

Elisha told us that there are plenty of resources out there to help students build confidence in networking like LinkedIn learning courses. However, the best way to build confidence is to start practicing in the real world.  

Elisha Horrocks, a Marketing Lecturer at the University of Northampton

“Just start having conversations, even if you’re waiting for the bus. It might feel weird and uncomfortable at first, but the more you practice, the easier it gets,” she advised.  

The key is to take small steps and gradually get comfortable with talking to others, no matter the setting. 

A common mistake many students make at networking events is treating the conversation as one-sided. As Elisha explained, “They go in and just talk at someone, not allowing it to be a two-way conversation. "You don't need to tell someone your full CV history to secure a job. What you need to do is leave them with enough intrigue and interest to want to continue the conversation."  

Ask thoughtful questions, listen actively, and don’t rush to pitch yourself. After the event, continue the dialogue with a personalised LinkedIn message or an email, referencing something specific from your chat. ‘I’d love to have the opportunity to work with you in the future,’ is a polite and professional way to express interest. 

Networking isn’t always about securing immediate results. Sometimes, opportunities come from relationships you've built over time, even if they don't seem directly related to your current goals. Elisha shared with us a personal story: 

"There was a financial consultant I worked with early on. We kept in touch through LinkedIn, and when I started my own business, he reached out and said, ‘I’ve got a client for you.’  

“That ended up being my first client, and it was instrumental in helping my business grow. It wasn’t through advertising or attending networking events, but through maintaining relationships over the years." 

It can also lead to referrals. That person you’ve connected with at a cafe might not have a role available, but if someone they know asks, ‘Do you know anyone for this position?’, they might think of you. Referrals often happen organically through these ongoing relationships.  

If opportunities to network seem limited to you as a student, try to leverage social media platforms specific to your industry to your advantage. For example, if you’re a student in STEM, IT or arts, platforms like Discord and Twitch are really great places to start networking.  

If you’re a business student, an active LinkedIn presence, an Instagram or TikTok portfolio account can help you showcase your skills and connect with industry professionals. 

Elisha said: “Be smart online and think about what your personal brand presence is. It’s okay to lock down some of your personal social media so they're not visible to recruiters and industry professionals, but also think about creating a ‘safe for work’ presence specifically targeted at that audience.” 

Another approach is organising your own events at your university campus. As someone with experience hosting networking events, Elisha recommended starting small, by creating a guest speaker series where you invite industry professionals to speak at your campus, followed by a networking session.  

If bringing speakers in person isn’t feasible, you can organise virtual events as well. 

“You don’t need to do this on a weekly basis, once a semester is a great start.” Elisha suggested. The process of organising these events will also help you develop valuable skills, such as project management, marketing, working within teams and public speaking, all of which are key in professional settings.