Networking
Networking with fellow students, faculty/staff, and alumni is a great way to learn more about different career paths and build connections who can help you reach your goals.
Some industries such as finance and consulting expect you to network to demonstrate interest in the field or firm during recruiting, so understanding the expectations for networking for your field(s) of interest is crucial to a successful recruiting journey.
Who to Network With
University of Chicago Alumni
Connect with alumni in this list who are interested in mentoring and connecting with undergraduates in their field!
Explore the Alumni Directory to identify alumni in fields of interest
Search LinkedIn by city, field, company, or other affiliations to identify connections (having something in common with the person you're reaching out to makes them more likely to respond!)
On-Campus Connections
Upperclassmen, fellow RSO members, and classmates are great resources to learn more about different industries, the recruiting process, and the realities of a role
Professors and faculty can be a great resource to learn more about research, academia, professional schools, etc.
Employers and Other Industry Professionals
Career fairs and other on-campus recruiting events are great ways to meet recruiters and professionals that can share more about undergraduate roles and recruiting
Leverage LinkedIn, PitchBook, and Handshake to identify professionals in your fields, locations, and firms of interest (UChicago students have access to PitchBook using SSO)
Participate in career competitions and industry conferences to showcase your experience while meeting industry professionals
How to Network
Identify your networking goal. Goals can range from gaining insight into a particular role/firm or gaining feedback on your background for recruiting.
Research before you reach out, because people are more likely to respond to "cold" outreach if you are targeted in your communication about why them specifically to show interest).
Send a concise personalized message to request an introductory coffee chat or deliver an "elevator pitch" during in-person networking events.
Prepare for the conversation by identifying 5-7 thoughtful questions, specific to the person you are speaking with that cannot be easily answered online.
Follow up with a thank-you note, including specifics about your conversation, and stay in touch to continue building the relationship.
Networking Outreach Templates
Below are a series of sample messages you can leverage in different networking scenarios. You should customize these to the circumstance and recipient (e.g., adjust for an alum that you have an RSO or a major in common with).