Networking Begins at Home

Last month, you read about Return on Investment, and I stated, “It is the student—not the institution they attend—who earns the job.”

Today, many careers are obtained through networking. At Right Fit, we discuss networking because it begins in high school and continues through college and beyond.

The process can begin as early as sophomore or junior year of high school through unpaid internships, counselor-in-training opportunities, research projects, and shadowing professionals in fields of interest. Many students obtain these opportunities through connections with their parents, family friends, or community members.

In college, students should meet with the career center during their freshman year to begin preparing for internships and career opportunities. By the summer after sophomore year, students should ideally have an internship related to their field of interest, followed by a paid internship during the summer after junior year  During this time, students should also begin networking through the new relationships they form with professors, supervisors, classmates, alumni, and professionals in their field.

Networking is not just about finding a job—it is about building relationships, gaining experience, and creating opportunities for future success.