An Introvert's Guide to Networking for Students: Building Connections with Confidence

This is an introvert’s guide to networking and could be one of the most important things you read if you are a student who lacks confidence in situations outside of your comfort zone including speaking with strangers or in front of an audience.

Networking is an important part of life as a student. It helps build confidence and a range of skills that will stand you in good stead for whatever you decide to do for a career in the future.

It also helps you to build communication skills and to meet new people and broaden your horizons. We’re always keen to help you stay motivated as a university student, and this guide should help you how to become a better networker, even if you are an introvert.

Networking as a student

There are a few ways in which students can network while at university and some examples include:

•  Student organisations – by joining different clubs and societies in university, whether as a hobby, a skill, sports teams, political organisations or clubs that are related to your field of study, you will meet fellow students and broaden your network of people.
•  Speak with professors – contacting your professors is also networking. It allows you to speak one on one with experts in your field of study. You might also seek advice and guidance from professors in your field from other locations.
•  Connect with alumni – speak to graduates from your university who have made it into their chosen careers and ask for help and tips on how best to approach your own career aspirations.
• Attend industry events – throughout your time at university there will be post-graduate events and industry-specific events such as conferences and career fairs. These are fantastic places to speak to experts, meet new people, and find out as much information as possible about a range of professions and career opportunities.

The benefits of networking

If you are an introvert and are worried about putting yourself out there, the benefits should help you see that it is worth pushing yourself outside your comfort zone to make the most of networking opportunities. Benefits to networking as a student include:

•  Confidence building – if you are introverted, networking is a fantastic way to learn how to come out of your shell and to build confidence in speaking to new people.
•  Mentorship – finding guidance and mentorship from experts in the field you are interested in could be essential to your future career.
•  Industry knowledge – look for insights into industry trends and the types of things that you only learn from people working in the industry.
•  Develop skills – learn how to improve your professional communication skills and how to be effective when interacting with professionals.
•  Hear different viewpoints – echo chambers are never a good thing, and networking provides you with the chance to hear different viewpoints, from different types of people.
•  Career opportunities – by networking you will have greater access to internship and employment opportunities, as your professional network grows.

Tips for an introverted networker

An introvert’s guide to networking wouldn’t be complete without some tips to help you maximise the potential of networking.

We fully understand that it is daunting to head into a networking event if it isn’t in your nature to enjoying being around people, but with a few of these tips we hope that you’ll be well on your way to making the most of the opportunities presented to you whilst studying at university.

1.  Prepare well in advance – the biggest thing that will help an introvert at networking events is to be fully prepared. Research the event, the people and companies that you know will be there . Then, prepare some engaging questions that are easy to remember, simple, and can kickstart conversations with people on the day.
2.  Think about quality – it is overwhelming to think about speaking to everyone at the event, and impractical. Instead, think about quality conversations with smaller groups of people who have similar interests to you.
3. Active listening – active listening is vital in communication. Be attentive when you listen and ask follow-up questions that keep the conversation engaged and show you have genuine interest in the topic and person.
4. Set expectations – be realistic in how you feel. It’s important that you don’t put yourself in every uncomfortable networking situation. Start slowly, pick and choose the right events for you, with smaller numbers of attendees or more focused topics, until you are more confident in a larger group.
5. Mix-up online and in-person – not every event is in person, and this can be largely helpful if you are getting used to networking. Speak with connections you have made at in-person events through social media or email and attend online events that allow to stay in your safe space at the same time as reaching out.

We hope that you found this blog on an introvert’s guide to networking helpful. It’s important that you learn a range of new skills during your time at university, but you should always be aware of burnout and how to tackle it.

Get involved with things wherever you can, push yourself outside of your comfort zone using tips and tricks that you have picked up along the way, and realise that even if you are an introvert, there are things you can do to help you forge ahead with the life and career that you want.

As long as you find the perfect balance to suit your needs and make sure your focus remains on study and exams, you will be set for a future that you want!

If you are looking for accommodation for when you start uni, you are in the right place. Visit our Universal Student Living website and browse through the range of properties across the UK.

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