It is important to start growing your network during your time at Brock to strengthen your connections with professionals. Networking is a great way to explore career paths and discover potential opportunities.
To get started on your networking journey, you will want to first create your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is a professional platform that can be used to build your profile, find jobs, strengthen professional relationships, and connect with various individuals to help you navigate your career journey. For a more extensive guide on how to create your LinkedIn profile and making connections please visit the Social Media & Branding section on the CareerZone portal (careerzone.brocku.ca). Additionally, in our physical CareerZone space we have a professional headshot booth available for all students to take their LinkedIn profile picture to kickstart their networking journey!
Start With Who You Know
Now that you have activated your LinkedIn profile, it is time to start growing your network. Reaching out to strangers can be intimidating, so we recommend to start connecting with who you know. Send connection requests to your friends, family, co-workers, professors, TAs, and peers to build your network.
Connect with Alumni
To further grow your network, LinkedIn has an excellent feature that allows you to connect with Brock University alumni to learn from their experiences and ask your career/program related questions. To access this feature, go to Brock University’s LinkedIn page and select the Alumni tab from the menu on the left. Then use the search function or click on filters to narrow down profiles of interest. It is very important that you send an introduction message along with your connection requests on LinkedIn. Doing so generates a conversation because your personalized message should explain who you are and WHY you want to connect with that particular person.
Another great networking platform is Ten Thousand Coffees. This program virtually connects students to Brock alumni based on their career goals and interests. This is advantageous for students to ask questions about their industry of interest and learn from personal experiences. To get started please visit Brock University’s Ten Thousand Coffees at (https://www.tenthousandcoffees.com/schools/brocku).
Connect with us virtually and in-person this summer!
If you have any questions related to networking, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Summer Career Assistant team! Our in-person drop-in hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 10-4 pm. If you are unable to visit us in-person, feel free to email us at career@brocku.ca. In addition, visit the CareerZone events calendar to view our drop-in Virtual Q&A sessions and Café workshops. Happy networking!
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