How can we go about building a network while still in university, or still fairly young. Now, although this specifically applies to university students, if you've already graduated, and you already have a job, a lot of this still may apply to you. So go ahead and go through it and see what value you can take from this lesson and apply into building your own network. So having said that, let's look at the four approaches to building a network while still in university. First of all, let's get out your worksheet that goes along with this lesson. It's titled network building worksheet.
Take a moment get that out if you want, push, pause and then come back so we can go throughout this lesson and you can fill out this worksheet as we progress together. Okay, let's continue. starting to build your network as a university student is perfect timing. You're now an adult in open to the world and making connections that could last a lifetime. These connections can help you become successful as a student. But they can also help you become successful in your career.
Well, after graduating, so take advantage of this time now and start actively building your network, you'll be so happy that you did it. And this is an advantage over most other students because they're not going to take the time to do what you can do now, which is build that network. Number one, getting a part time job. Having a part time job has several benefits, such as gaining experience and earning money. Of course, however, meeting new people through your job is also an opportunity to build your network. Many of the most successful people started with part time jobs.
Warren Buffett was a paper boy for example. Getting to know your boss and others with industry experience can help you learn many things. Universities just don't teach. Can you identify any part time jobs that are related to your major? Are there any positions available? Any internships?
How about working for free or for limited pay if no positions are open, instead of money, you'd be getting paid in knowledge and experience, which can be priceless. So take a look at that worksheet. What I'd like you to do is start filling out the first section. First of all, listen to potential part time jobs available in your area. What comes to mind, go ahead and brainstorm and write a few options. Now.
Once you've done that, list potential part time jobs that may be related to your major or your area of study. What part time jobs are connected to the career you're going to try and build? And three, what can you learn from your boss? Do you have a part time job now? Well, what can you learn from that person? In?
What about a potential part time job from the boss who works there? What can you possibly learn from them? And what questions could you ask? Make a list of these questions and keep them for future reference? Take a moment and push, pause, brainstorm and think about how to best fill out this section, and then return to this video. Number two, mailing influencers and people you admire.
Even though you may feel uncomfortable mailing someone you don't know, that's okay. You might find out that they're happy to answer you. Most people are willing to help others, especially when they feel appreciated and important. Do you remember our previous lesson on being likable? Wouldn't it be great to get to know someone you admired in your industry? someone famous or successful?
Imagine the advice that they'd have for you. And really, what do you have to lose? Nothing, right. Dale Carnegie wrote about a successful A magazine editor who mailed famous people he admired. He read about their lives and biographies and asked them for more details about their childhoods. He asked these people to tell him more about themselves, and it worked out rather well.
So it can work out for you, too. So in the next section of your networking worksheet, I'd like you to start by listening at least three people who are influencers and or people you admire who are other than family, of course, can you identify anyone connected to your goals? Has anyone popped into your mind yet? Next, I'd like you to list some of the reasons you admire these people and go through each person individually. Why do you admire that person specifically? Then what more Would you like to know about them personally?
Sure, there are things you can read in a book or look at a new YouTube video, but what would you like to know more about them specifically, now Not necessarily their successes, but them as a human being. And finally, what advice would you like to get from them? This could be golden. Remember, we always look to the successful to get information on how we can emulate them, therefore, how we can also be successful. So what advice would you like to hear these people can be heroes of yours, famous leaders in the industry you plan to start a career in or people of influence in your industry or potentially somewhere else, it's really up to you. So go ahead again, push pause, take the time to fill out this section, and then return for number three.
Number three, joining groups and clubs on campus. It's common for universities to have groups, clubs and associations for you to join of all kinds. If you don't already know ask where you can find a list of course clubs available at your university and decide which groups you may benefit from. If you already belong to a group, are you putting an effort into getting to know the members and better yet, the leaders and organizers? And what if there aren't clubs where you can network? Well, how about starting a club of your own?
Start a club yourself. Look into the guidelines and procedures of opening a club, you may be even surprised at some universities will actually provide money to help you out. So again, what do you have to lose nothing. Remember, success is doing what other people choose not to do. Be the person who chooses to do that which will put you on the road to success, and here on the road to building a better network. In the next section of your network worksheet.
I'd like you to start by answering this question Where can you go to get information of the clubs offered at your university This is just a couple of clicks away on your University's website, or a few questions away posed at other students, other current clubs, or even professors. Wherever that information exists, take the time to find out where you can go to get it. Then list the clubs offered at your university, go through that list and look at the ones that you might be interested in where you can possibly meet new people and build new relationships. that's essential. You don't want to meet people you already know. So don't go to a club, where the members are already your friends.
Instead, go somewhere that's new. It's these new connections that are going to build this new and better network that you want to work on. Then, does your university have any clubs dedicated to something that really interests you? Perhaps a passion? If not, would you be interested in creating your own club? Hopefully the answer is yes.
And finally, where can you go to find the requirements and procedures to create a university club. Even if you're not thinking about opening a club, even if you feel uncomfortable, still go through the process, find out the requirements and procedures, you might be surprised. There are a lot of benefits to having your own club or organization. And finally, number four, meeting with professors, even if you don't take their classes, universities are full of professors who are experts in their fields. Of course, why not get to know some of them? Why not get to know some of them in the field that interests you?
You don't even need to be one of their students. The principle of importance applies here again, just like mailing people you admire. These professors most likely will be flattered that you took the time and effort to make them feel important and may also be just having happy to talk to you. These conversations and potential relationships can have a profound effect on the direction that your life takes. So again, take the step to talking with people that you don't know. Take the time to meet with people in positions of power and information.
Take some time to meet with professors in your university. Again, you'll be glad that you did. In the final section of your networking worksheet, I'd like you to fill out these three things. Number one, can you name any professors at your university? Who'd you like to ask questions? One, two, potentially three professors, the more the better.
Can you name any professors outside your university? around the world you would like to ask questions. Are there any famous professors throughout the world in your industry you'd like to know more about? brainstorm for a while, do a little bit of research, list those names And finally, what questions specifically Would you like to ask each of these professors individually? So how many of these approaches Will you try? Now we have four of them, will you go for 123 or four?
Remember, the more the merrier. The more you try, the more effort you put into it, the better you'll get at building a network, and then the better you'll get at being successful. Once you start building your network, you have to keep track of it. networks are things that you need to manage. But you're in luck these days because of technology, smartphones and applications. Use software or an application to keep track of your list of contacts.
Popular apps include Google Contacts, and LinkedIn. And there are many others what works best for you. If you have any recommendations, let me know. I'd sure love to hear from you. So to recap this section On network building, especially if you're in university. First of all, we talked about getting a part time job.
The currency here, maybe it's not necessarily the money that you make, but the experience and knowledge you get from being there, and the people that you meet in the process. Number two, contact people of influence, contact people that you admire, you never know who will respond. Number three, join groups. join clubs, whether in university or outside of university clubs are everywhere, put in the time put in the effort to become part of a club, or part of an organization. And, number four, meet with professors. They have a wealth of knowledge, they probably love to talk to you, and who knows what kind of information knowledge and advice you might get from these people.
Finally, once you've done all that, you need to keep track of your network, preferably through some Sort of software or application. The next section is a special networking assignment based on this lesson. So let's get ready for that section.