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Where can I network with professionals outside of career fairs? Where can I network with professionals specifically in my future career field?
I am an advertising major at SJSU entering my 4th year and I want to start preparing for my life post-college. I want to get a job in the advertising industry. One the pieces of advice I hear a lot is "network with other people!" Where do I find these people? Also, I how do I find networking events (in the SF Bay Area) related to my field? Any relevant advice is appreciated! Thanks!
#networking #marketing-and-advertising #meeting-new-people #network #job-search
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7 answers
Updated
Connor’s Answer
Hi Ben,
These are good questions. Though I am not in advertising, I too initially struggled with the concept of networking. Even though career fairs are excellent places to network, you can also network in your day-to-day life, whether that is at school with students, professors or outside school with friends and family. The point is that networking is not some official thing you do once a quarter at career fairs, but rather, something you do on a daily basis. Just by meeting new people, you are networking. Every time you get to know someone, you are building your "network", thereby opening up new opportunities (in addition to new potential friendships).
I got my current position with PwC via a career fair, but I've had other opportunities open themselves up along the way just by networking. For example, I train at a gym in Chicago where I met an individual who works in the IT department for large beverage manufacturer. Recently, we were chatting about our careers and he told me there were some openings within their finance department and he would put in a good word for me. Though I ended up not taking the job, the opportunity was there.
Even as you progress within a future career, networking will still be important because you will rely on your contacts not only for outside job opportunities, but also for help with technical areas in your field that you may not know about. Therefore, I agree with the advice you've been given - you should network with other people, however the trick is to proactively network.
networking marketing-and-advertising meeting-new-people network job-search accounting
These are good questions. Though I am not in advertising, I too initially struggled with the concept of networking. Even though career fairs are excellent places to network, you can also network in your day-to-day life, whether that is at school with students, professors or outside school with friends and family. The point is that networking is not some official thing you do once a quarter at career fairs, but rather, something you do on a daily basis. Just by meeting new people, you are networking. Every time you get to know someone, you are building your "network", thereby opening up new opportunities (in addition to new potential friendships).
I got my current position with PwC via a career fair, but I've had other opportunities open themselves up along the way just by networking. For example, I train at a gym in Chicago where I met an individual who works in the IT department for large beverage manufacturer. Recently, we were chatting about our careers and he told me there were some openings within their finance department and he would put in a good word for me. Though I ended up not taking the job, the opportunity was there.
Even as you progress within a future career, networking will still be important because you will rely on your contacts not only for outside job opportunities, but also for help with technical areas in your field that you may not know about. Therefore, I agree with the advice you've been given - you should network with other people, however the trick is to proactively network.
networking marketing-and-advertising meeting-new-people network job-search accounting
Thanks for the advice Connor this was really helpful!
Ben Landis
COACH
Daniel Pack
Manager in Capital Markets Finance Operations, Technology and Data Transformation
6
Answers
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Daniel’s Answer
LinkedIn is a great way to start. You can look for alumni from your university who are currently in the advertising field. Sometimes professors can help put you in touch with someone in their network. Additionally a career center may be able to provide mock-interview experiences with professionals. These are all ways to increase your network.
Thanks for the answer! :)
Ben
Updated
Candace’s Answer
Hi Ben,
I am an industry professional and this is something I still struggle with. I would say use social media as a tool. LinkedIn still works for me. You can reach out to invite professionals you'd love to network with for a cup of coffee. I found a really great mentor by doing this and she has introduced me to other people in our field that have helped me further my career. I always check https://www.eventbrite.com/ or https://www.meetup.com/ to see what networking events I want to attend in my area. I try to attend one personal and professional each week so I don't get burned out.
Hope this helps
Candace
I am an industry professional and this is something I still struggle with. I would say use social media as a tool. LinkedIn still works for me. You can reach out to invite professionals you'd love to network with for a cup of coffee. I found a really great mentor by doing this and she has introduced me to other people in our field that have helped me further my career. I always check https://www.eventbrite.com/ or https://www.meetup.com/ to see what networking events I want to attend in my area. I try to attend one personal and professional each week so I don't get burned out.
Hope this helps
Candace
Stephen Poffenberger
Professional Photographer / Career Advancement Projects
18
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Stephen’s Answer
Possibly searching on LinkedIn for your field of study professionals would give you a bio about them. If one jumps out at you, try to connect with them.
If they are like myself, they will feel honored with your interest in them and your shared professional choice.
I hope this helps you. CHEERS!
If they are like myself, they will feel honored with your interest in them and your shared professional choice.
I hope this helps you. CHEERS!
Updated
Naomi María’s Answer
Beside the advice already mentioned, I would recommend joining on of the professional organizations related to your degree. You may also want to network with design students at SJSU because these people may one day be your coworkers! They also may be a sideways networking opportunity at various marketing/advertising agencies of interest to you. And in general in any corporate environment with a design team, there is a corresponding marketing team that they collaborate with and oftentimes as a combined marketing and design department.
If you're looking for actual work experience before you get out the door and your program doesn't include an internship program or if you haven't managed to land a summer internship, look around in the local community for non-profits that rely on some part-time marketing positions. If you're lucky, you can find a paid one, but expect it to be a volunteer program. Volunteer Match is a pretty good site to find real non-profits with real marketing needs. You have the opportunity to find a cause that matches your interests or a project that you think would be good for you.
networking college internships experience
If you're looking for actual work experience before you get out the door and your program doesn't include an internship program or if you haven't managed to land a summer internship, look around in the local community for non-profits that rely on some part-time marketing positions. If you're lucky, you can find a paid one, but expect it to be a volunteer program. Volunteer Match is a pretty good site to find real non-profits with real marketing needs. You have the opportunity to find a cause that matches your interests or a project that you think would be good for you.
networking college internships experience
Thanks for your answer Naomi! I totally agree with all your advice, especially the make design friends piece of advice. I have tons of design friends they're awesome, especially when I need help with some work involving Photoshop or Illustrator haha.
Ben
Updated
Simeon’s Answer
It's important to remember that you need to build bridges before you need them. If you find yourself in need of a bridge right now, it's already too late. One of the first things to remember with networking is that it's difficult to network above your employment level, meaning you'll have the easiest time networking with people who are just like you. Networking is more of a long-game thing. Once the friends you've made are doing better off, they are likely to turn around and help you find a position as well. Trying to network to managers and recruiters is not really different than a normal cold-call asking for job positions. Go to events if you can, but don't forget to reach out to the people that you already know. Try to build connections with people you have genuine chemistry and connection with if possible. It won't do you much good to go to a networking event and make generic small talk with people and then swap business cards. Think about how likely you would be to recommend someone like that for a job opening. How would you know you could recommend them at all? You need to find people you naturally connect with who will positively remember you and be excited to have you join their company some day.
Robin Sparks, PCC
US Leadership Coaching Center of Excellence Senior Manager at PwC
8
Answers
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Robin’s Answer
Hello, Ben - you've asked some great questions here and have already received some terrific advice through other answers. I'll offer two more thoughts to your list.
First, when I was in undergrad (also as a business major/management), I sought out a student chapter on campus for the Society for the Advancement of Management. I served as program director for a year and helped to bring in speakers from our field to speak at our chapter meetings. It was a great way to network with and learn from seasoned business professionals, which also allowed my fellow students and I to make connections with local employers well ahead of recruitment season.
Second, many professional associations have monthly meetings that you might be able to sit in on for a very low fee (sometimes for free, as a student). It could be that the American Management Association (or others) have some upcoming meetings in your area.
Best of luck with your networking! Robin
First, when I was in undergrad (also as a business major/management), I sought out a student chapter on campus for the Society for the Advancement of Management. I served as program director for a year and helped to bring in speakers from our field to speak at our chapter meetings. It was a great way to network with and learn from seasoned business professionals, which also allowed my fellow students and I to make connections with local employers well ahead of recruitment season.
Second, many professional associations have monthly meetings that you might be able to sit in on for a very low fee (sometimes for free, as a student). It could be that the American Management Association (or others) have some upcoming meetings in your area.
Best of luck with your networking! Robin