4.1 Networking

Networking is the process of building and maintaining professional relationships to exchange information and create opportunities for collaboration and career growth.

It involves more than swapping business cards or connecting on LinkedIn. It is about having real conversations and learning from the experiences of others. These relationships can lead to mentorship, professional guidance, and opportunities that are rarely found through a job posting alone.

For someone pursuing a public service career, a strong network can provide insight into how agencies and organizations operate. It can also connect you with mentors who are willing to share lessons from their own experiences. In many cases, networking leads to partnerships and collaborations that strengthen both your career and the community you serve.

Each semester brings new opportunities to meet people through guest speakers, site visits, internships, and volunteer work. Over time, these connections can become a source of support, guidance, and encouragement that extends well beyond graduation.

Networking can feel uncomfortable at first, especially for introverts, but it does not require being aggressive or meeting everyone in the room. Meaningful progress often comes from smaller conversations, one-on-one meetings, and steady relationship-building.