Networking

There are many ways to find connections and develop meaningful networking relationships. 

Networking with Columbia Alumni 

You can search for and connect with Columbia alumni across schools, degrees, graduation years, regions, interests, and more through the Online Alumni Community portal. 

Columbia College

• Odyssey Mentoring Program: Odyssey is an online community exclusively for Columbia College students and alumni, managed by Columbia College Alumni Relations. You can connect with an alumni mentor for just-in-time advice or long-term mentorship.
• Contact ccalumni@columbia.edu for additional information on connecting with alumni.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Blueprint Mentorship Program: Blueprint brings Columbia Engineering students and alumni together through authentic, meaningful connections. Through Blueprint, alumni can expand their networks and share valuable insights, while students gain practical advice and encouragement as they navigate their academic and career decisions.
• Contact seasalumni@columbia.edu for additional information on connecting with alumni.

School of General Studies

• GS Mentor Program: GS Mentor Program pairs specially-trained continuing undergraduate GS students with incoming students on the basis of several criteria including majors, interests, and background.
• Contact gsalumni@columbia.edu for additional information on connecting with alumni.

Networking Online (LinkedIn)

• Start with who you know: The easiest way to build your network on LinkedIn is to start with the network you already have. Consider connecting with friends, family, classmates, professors, supervisors, and current or past colleagues. Then, use the search tool to find other professionals you want to connect with. If you have a connection in common with someone in your network, they will appear at the top of your list and you can ask your mutual connection to introduce you.
• Join LinkedIn Groups: You can also find new connections through the LinkedIn groups you join. If you are knowledgeable in the group’s subject matter, consider posting questions or responding to items in the newsfeed.
• Use the Columbia University LinkedIn Page: Another way to connect on LinkedIn is through the Columbia University school page. You can search for and reach out to alumni based on where they work, what they do, or even what they studied in school.
• Create a networking message: As you find more people to connect with, you will want to draft a networking message that works for you.

Informational Interviewing

• Once you’ve made a networking connection, informational interviewing is a great way to build on the relationship. Through informational interviewing, you will connect with a professional in your field or company of interest and ask them questions about their career path and their work. You also can ask about potential opportunities and for advice on how to enter the industry.
• Before you meet, research your connection’s industry and employer and prepare questions to ask. You also should be ready to discuss your interest in the industry and/or company, your professional goals, and key experiences that have shaped your career journey.

Career fairs and employer events can be an accessible way to begin a networking relationship. Here are some tips to make the most of these events:

Prepare Before the Event

• Review the list of organizations that will be attending the fair and the roles that they are hiring for on LionSHARE. Research the organizations you’re most interested in speaking with during the Career Fair.
• Prepare questions for employers that showcase your research into the organization and the job.
• Develop and practice your introduction. You might have different tailored versions of your introduction drafted in advance, based on the employers that you’re most interested in connecting with. If you’re thinking about how to structure your introduction, consider this framework:
  • Present: Who are you today and what do you do? This might include your major, year in school, and an experience or interest that connects you to the organization or role.
  • Past: What experiences have you had? Develop a professional narrative that connects your past experiences. Highlight any relevant transferable skills.
  • Future: What is your next step? Share what excites you about this organization and role.

Engage During the Event

• Connect on a personal level. Start with a simple “How are you? It’s nice to meet you.”
• Keep your notes handy and ask questions you’ve prepared in advance or that come up during the meeting to demonstrate your research and interest in the company.
• Be prepared to talk about your relevant experiences and relate them back to your career interests or the company.
• You can also take the lead, referring to an experience or project as a way to share how your interest in a type of work emerged or how you built key skills towards future jobs.
• As you engage in conversation, you can frame your questions to integrate important information about yourself. For example: “I’ve valued being a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers on campus, especially the opportunity to experience mentorship—first as a mentee, and now that I’m a junior, as a mentor. How does mentorship show up at your organization, and do you have any identity-based mentorship opportunities?”

Review our guidance on Career Fairs: How to Prepare and Engage with Employers and Making the Most of a Networking Event.

Here are more practical tips to support your networking:

• Keep track of networking contacts through these Tools to Organize Your Job or Internship Search
• Send your networking contacts Follow-Up Letters to maintain the connection
• See our tips on How to Prepare for Diversity Recruiting Events