How to Network as an Intern

I recently go asked "what is one thing that no one tells you about networking when you're an international student?" When I came to the U.S. 6 years ago to study Data Science, I had no idea how important networking would be for my career. Coming from Spain, I thought hard work and a good resume would be enough. Spoiler: it wasn’t. As an international student, job hunting comes with extra challenges: visas, sponsorships, and navigating a system that sometimes feels overwhelming. But here’s the truth: networking changed everything for me. Here’s what worked: 1️⃣ Reaching out to alumni: - I was at Suffolk University in Boston, and I used LinkedIn to connect with alumni in Data Science. At first, it felt awkward—what could I possibly say? But I learned this: people love sharing advice when you ask the right questions. Instead of asking for jobs, I asked about their journeys, challenges, and advice. Those conversations didn’t just lead to referrals; they gave me confidence and clarity. 2️⃣ Leveraging LinkedIn: - LinkedIn became more than just a job board. I posted about projects I was working on, shared my thoughts on the industry, and commented on others’ posts. Over time, recruiters and professionals in my field started noticing me. 3️⃣ Attending industry events: - From local meetups to webinars, I treated every event as a learning opportunity. The key wasn’t handing out resumes—it was making meaningful connections. One conversation at a career fair even led to an internship that shaped my path. Looking back, I realized networking isn’t just about getting a job—it’s about building relationships. As an international student, those connections helped me navigate a career system I didn’t grow up in, and they became my biggest advantage. What’s your go-to strategy for networking? Let’s share tips below—I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!

Most people tell you to network, but they don’t teach you how. Here’s what you can do: 🔹 Quality Over Quantity: Before attending, study the event's attendee list and identify 2-3 people you want to meet. This focused approach can lead to deeper, more meaningful conversations. I’ve recently done this myself at a TED event. 🔹 Adopt a Giving Mindset: Offer to share your expertise or resources. For example, if someone is working on a project you have experience with, volunteer to provide insights or introduce them to someone who can help. This shows you're invested in their success. 🔹 Research Smartly: Look into their recent projects or publications. If your contact has recently published a paper or given a talk, read it and mention specific points you found intriguing or valuable. This demonstrates genuine interest and sets you apart. 🔹 Make the First Move: Send a message acknowledging a challenge they mentioned in a public forum or LinkedIn comment. For example: "Hi [Name], I saw your post about the challenges of remote team management. I've faced similar issues and found that regular virtual coffee breaks helped. Would love to share more if you're interested. Best, [Your Name]" 🔹 Build a Habit: Set a weekly reminder to engage with your network on social media. This could be liking, commenting on, or sharing posts from your contacts. Regular engagement keeps you top of mind and builds a foundation for deeper connections. Tomorrow’s newsletter is packed with actionable insights to turn casual contacts into valuable connections. ➡ Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eE-aFmFy 💜 Career Well-being is the best work-life newsletter, according to my readers! Join us! #NetworkingTips #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #careerbutterfly #CareerWellbeing

I’ve done 12 (PAID) internships over the last ~3 years. Outside of mastering my boss’s Starbucks order, here’s the 3 things they taught me about networking: ↳ 1) When you’re coffee chatting someone, DON'T come with QUESTIONS, come with IDEAS Think about the last authentic and genuine conversation you had. Did you come prepared with 3-5 questions about their background? NO, you came talking about something you’re genuinely interested in and delved deep into those topics. The peak of your conversation wasn’t asking them about their day—it was asking them about something that felt personal and deep. So if you’re meeting them for the first time, come PREPARED with researched topics that you are genuinely interested to know about. ↳ 2) NEVER just say "Good" after someone asks “How Are You” The biggest turnoff (especially for me) is talking to someone who seems boring or uninteresting. You want to show the other person your authentic personality and speak more to your day—even if all you did that day was go to the gym! 3) ALWAYS ask for a way to keep in touch To build relationships with people, you have to keep in touch. If the conversation is going well, never forget to insinuate the idea of staying connected, either through LinkedIn, email, or even Instagram!

Now is when undergraduates are highly focused on securing and finalizing their summer internship plans. Firms (including KKR) get inundated with emails and LinkedIn messages to network on investment banking, private equity, infrastructure, credit, and consulting. Here are the 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 things that I have found 𝑴𝑶𝑺𝑻 effective that undergrads can do to successfully network: 1. 𝐃𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊: It sounds obvious, but I find so few undergrads actually do homework before reaching out. Research the firm, the role, and the person. Most successful candidates not only did the pre-work, but referenced their prep work which made it more likely to get a response and help build a rapport.  2. 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐌 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃 (“Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon?”): You would be surprised that with a just little effort, you can find a warm introduction to a key decision-maker. You are 100x more likely to get a response when you find and leverage a connection. How to do this? Use LinkedIn, ask a professor, talk to a recent alumni graduate who can introduce you to his/her boss, etc. Take the extra step. It makes a difference. 3. 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖-𝐔𝐏: If you are able to make a connection, follow up on it! I am always surprised when I take time to speak with an undergrad and they don’t follow up. And if your email or call goes unanswered, don’t give up. Think about another angle and try again. You would be surprised at how a little persistence gets attention. Good luck in the recruiting process! Stay energized and optimistic! #Networking #Recruiting #Internships #PrivateEquity #CareerGrowth

🚀Securing a return offer – Networking 🚀 Networking is the foundation for opening doors to future opportunities and establishing long-lasting connections. Reflecting on my internship journey where I secured a total of 4 return offers (2 for full-time positions and 2 for further internships) - Here are my takeaways: 1. Broaden Your Network 🌐: Don’t just stick to your team. Make an effort to connect with fellow interns and full-time employees from various departments. The potential of where these connections can lead is limitless. Immerse yourself in employee groups that resonate with your identity or interests; for instance, my engagement with the Blacks at Microsoft and Microsoft Smash Bros group introduced me to incredible people and various opportunities. 2. Genuine Connections Matter 🗣 : It’s incredible how rapport with your team and manager can pave the way for return offers. Fitting in with team culture is just as important as the work you do. 3. Approach with Curiosity 🤔 : Networking doesn’t have to be daunting. Approach it as a chance to learn about someone else’s experiences and interests. It makes the conversation more engaging and less transactional. Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll share more insights on making the most of your networking opportunities during internships! 💬 What’s your take on networking? Ever made a connection that surprised you? Share in the comments! #InternshipNetworking #CareerDevelopment #ExpandYourCircle #Networking