Your network is your net worth. Which is unfortunate, because my actual net worth is currently about three iced coffees and a Presto card.
Networking.
Did you imagine people wearing blazers, carrying fancy business cards and spending half their monthly grocery budget on conference tickets too?
Me too.
As students, it can feel like every “must-attend” networking event comes with a (huge) registration fee attached. Between tuition, rent, transit and convincing yourself that buying a lavender matcha is self-care, dropping hundreds of dollars on professional events isn’t always realistic.
So here’s a bit of good news for you: some of the best networking opportunities are already available to you as a Humber Polytechnic or University of Guelph-Humber student for free!
You just need to know where to look.
Goldmine you’re already paying for
Before you start searching for expensive conferences, look at what’s already available through Humber and UofGH.
A resource that deserves a spot in your following list is from Humber’s Centre for Entrepreneurship.
Even if launching a startup isn’t on your vision board, they regularly post about free panels, founder talks, innovation events, workshops and networking opportunities happening both on and off campus. Check out their Instagram page at: @humbercfe.
Sometimes you attend because you’re interested in entrepreneurship. Other times you attend because there are interesting people in the room. Both are valid reasons.
If you need an extra boost in confidence in how to present yourself when networking or talking to people, check out the EPIC Skills Modules. It’s a free online series that helps you build workplace and entrepreneurial skills without having to pretend you’re suddenly going to become the next Shark Tank success story.
And the best part: you won’t be charged $300 for it!
Follow people who do the searching for you
I have accepted one simple fact about myself: I’m terrible at remembering to check event calendars.
Thankfully, there are people whose entire job is doing that for us.
One Instagram account worth checking out is @humbercareer, run by Humber’s Advising and Career Services. Instead of randomly finding out about employer visits after they’ve happened (painful), you’ll see career fairs, networking sessions, workshops, recruitment events and job search resources pop up right in your Instagram feed.
It’s one of those accounts you’ll probably forget you followed until it randomly saves you from missing an event.
Speaking of not missing events, Toronto Tech Week is another one worth putting on your calendar every year as a long-term event.
Even if you’re not studying technology, don’t immediately write it off.
Marketing students, business students, designers, project managers, content creators and entrepreneurs can all find sessions relevant to their interests.
Career workshops = networking in disguise
Most students hear the words “career workshop” and immediately imagine a PowerPoint presentation they don’t want to attend.
But career workshops are often networking opportunities, wearing a fake moustache.
Humber Career Services regularly hosts Career Steps workshops covering everything from resumes and interviews to LinkedIn profiles and job search strategies.
The obvious benefit is learning something useful.
The less obvious benefit is meeting other students who are trying to build careers in similar fields.
You’ll often leave with new connections and occasionally the comforting realization that everyone else is also figuring things out as they go.
Different for everyone
A lot of networking advice assumes everyone feels comfortable walking into a room full of strangers and introducing themselves.
Not everyone does.
That’s why it’s worth exploring resources like Humber’s Transition to Work program, which provides career support and networking assistance for students with disabilities.
Networking is not about becoming the loudest person in the room.
It’s about finding opportunities and environments that help you connect with people in a way that feels comfortable and authentic.
Join the club
Sometimes the easiest networking opportunity is sitting two tables away from you.
Joining an IGNITE club can connect you with students who share your interests, whether that’s professional development, hobbies, culture, gaming, volunteering or something wonderfully niche.
You don’t always need a recruiter, executive or CEO in your network.
Classmates who become future colleagues, collaborators, references or friends are always welcome.
A surprising number of professional opportunities begin with someone saying, “Hey, I know somebody you should talk to.”
Feature image courtesy of Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
Ready to take the next step in your career game? Check out the guide for requesting coffee chats!
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