Cynthia: This is one of the most important aspects of your college experience. You never know where you’ll all end up in the future. The people you make connections with may be the key to your job after graduation. I admittedly have a hard time introducing myself to people in my classes, and hope to change that in the following year’s. If you find yourself in the same position I want you to keep in mind it’s only your first year. You’ll have plenty of time to build your connections with people. Just don’t forget about everyone else you’ve met and gelled with along the way. I also think that networking happens more naturally than we realize. All it takes is a mutual relation—a friend or roommate—to establish a connection. I met a fair amount of people just by being around my friends.
Britanny: Networking is something that is useful for the professional world. For example, the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) has panels where individuals talk about their professional careers. I find these kinds of events or other networking events to be helpful because there is always going to be a career that you have never heard of that could change your whole career plan.
Khanh: To add on to what Britanny and Cynthia said before, which are very important points, networking also goes beyond the fate of your future and professional careers. It is having a genuine connection with another human being. Not everyone who you meet that has more experience than you will click with you, and that is okay. Networking can mean finding a mentor to guide you in the path you want to hopefully pursue, but it can mean to develop a friendship, connect on a genuine level.
Jessica: Networking is so important. I am personally a pretty shy person, so it wasn’t as easy for me to branch out and meet new people, but freshman year is one of the best times to start making those connections. Remember that everyone else is also going through this big transition and trying to find their way, so don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and start a conversation with someone in the dining hall or in one of your classes. It can be easy to cling to old high school friends because you’re already comfortable with them, but it's also important to expand your network. The people you connect with may become friends for the next four years and even beyond.
Vy: Don’t just stay in the dorm, or if you’re commuting, don’t leave campus so early. Stay behind, hang around in friend’s dorms, and go out of your comfort zone. Networking is the easiest when you’re a freshman, in my opinion, since everything is still new, fresh, and welcoming. Networking isn’t just about meeting new people, but it’s about continuing to make an effort to talk, study, and hang out with them in order to maintain/strengthen the bond that you’ve created.