Chapter 4 – Networking & Finding Mentors
4.9 Expanding Beyond School
Some of great networking opportunities happen outside of class. In this section, I’ll write about professional associations, their conferences, volunteer experiences, and a little bit on using LinkedIn.
Professional Associations
Joining professional associations is one way to start. Groups like the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), and American Planning Association (APA) offer student memberships at reduced or no cost. ICMA membership is free for students and you get access to their database of members and other resources.
Here are some professional associations to know about:
- American Society for Public Administration (ASPA): A national group that supports people working in government and nonprofits.
- International City/County Management Association (ICMA): Connects local government managers and provides training, resources, and ethical standards.
- American Planning Association (APA): Supports planners who work to improve cities, towns, and regions.
- Ohio City/County Management Association (OCMA): Brings together city and county managers in Ohio to share ideas and learn from each other.
- Ohio Municipal League (OML): Represents Ohio’s cities and villages, offering training and advocacy for local leaders.
- Ohio Chapter of the APA (Ohio APA): A state-level network for planners with events and resources tailored to Ohio communities.
- National League of Cities (NLC): A national group that speaks for cities, towns, and villages and helps their leaders connect.
Conferences
Conferences also will help you network. The Ohio City/County Management Association (OCMA) waives conference fees for students. Moreover, the Levin School often helps cover travel and registration for these events.
Being in these rooms matters. You meet people doing the work you want to do, hear what challenges they are facing, and begin to see yourself as a peer in the profession.
Here’s a photo of students at an OCMA conference in Columbus. I was there when they took this photo, I just refused to wear a silly hat.
How to Approach People at a Conference
Walking into a professional conference can feel overwhelming, but most people there expect and welcome conversation. Here are some ways to start:
- Introduce yourself and your connection to Levin. A simple “Hi, I’m a student at Cleveland State” gives context and invites follow-up questions.
- Ask about their work. People enjoy talking about what they do. You can ask, “What’s your role?” or “What projects are you working on right now?”
- Share why you are there. Let them know what you hope to learn or explore at the event.
- Thank them and follow up. Before you leave the conversation, thank them for their time and get their contact information or connect on LinkedIn.
Be genuine. You do not need to meet everyone in the room. A few meaningful conversations can be more valuable than a long list of contacts you never speak to again.
Volunteer Experiences
Getting involved in the community is another way to build your network. Public meetings, volunteer events, and civic forums give you the chance to learn how decisions are made and to connect with people active in local issues.
Sometimes CSU will create these experiences for you. For example, in my public service careers class, I’ll schedule an afternoon of service event and embed it in our volunteerism curriculum. This year, we’ll be volunteering for a few hours at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
Maintaining a LinkedIn presence can also connect you to opportunities. Alumni and local leaders post about programs, jobs, and events. For example, Levin MPA alum Stephanie Molnar, who runs the Cleveland Foundation’s fellowship program, shared an event this summer that brought students and community leaders together. See her post here. You absolutely could have taken the initiative to attend.
Following and engaging with posts like this can keep you in the loop and open doors you might not find otherwise.
Finally, reach out to Professor Jeffrey Bowen about networking. He’s a professional and can give you great advice.
