Thompson Hospitality

Join Student Organizations

Networking continues beyond industry professionals and future employers. Networking starts with the connections you have with your peers. Getting involved on campus is the perfect way to build rapport and keep in touch with what is happening at your university. Depending on the student organization, you will be volunteering in the community, having events on campus, and obtaining relationships with faculty and staff, as they often oversee student organizations. As a member of your organization, begin to build those relationships by simply talking to the members of your organization. You can gain a lot from those connections, such as career opportunities, new friends, and scholarships. Also, joining the organization can help you add to your resume by including the skills you obtain from involvement. These skills will help you throughout your professional career in various ways and allow you to stand out from other candidates.

Attend Career Fairs

Career fairs may seem only necessary when looking for a job, but they are also a great way to meet people directly in the career you are striving for. Before going, check in with your career center to see what companies will be represented there and research them. While studying, narrow down and select companies that pique your interest and relate to your field. It is important to have questions ready for them to show your interest and help you understand what opportunities are available for you. Also, before attending, practice how you will introduce yourself to various companies with your friends. Start with your name and significance and insert any leadership positions you may have with organizations you are a part of. As the conversation flows, follow up with some of your questions about the company. As you move on to speak with the next company, end the conversation by asking for their business card or email or inquiring about a pamphlet that may be on their display and thanking them for their time.

Attend Guest Speaker Events

Various guest speaker events will be open throughout the school year for the campus community to attend. From community leaders, authors, notable alums, and more, there are opportunities to hear from outstanding individuals who are knowledgeable in their field. Only some guest speakers will talk about their careers and instead will share information that may spark inspiration in you. Following the speaking engagement, try to speak to people afterward and share knowledge of the event. If able, introduce yourself to the speaker. This is the time to ask questions about the topic and any professional advice they may want to share with you as a student. Not only are you networking, but you are also obtaining information you can use forever.

Build A Connection With Your Professors

Many college professors are experts in the subject they teach and even have field experience. Regardless of where they are in their careers, they have a ton of information and access to resources. Talk to your professors after class or visit them during their office hours to ask them questions about their journey in their professional careers. Building that connection with your teachers is crucial as they can follow up with you about internship and job opportunities they see because you have expressed interest in certain areas. There are many ways to learn from your professors outside the course materials, so don’t hesitate to ask!

Nurture Connections

Following meeting people at professional events or having a conversation on the go, remember to keep in contact with them. The best way to connect with people you meet is by sending a follow-up email thanking them for the conversation or wisdom they provided you with. The email should be brief but emphasize who you are and where you met them to jog their memory of you. Continuing to nurture connections directly shows interest and can lead you to be thought of when job or internship positions open. These connections can also lead to mentorship as you navigate your college and professional career.

Invitations to private dining events at their HBCU hosted by campus dining.

Premium sections and priority access to giveaways.

Monthly Previews of exclusive content from Campus Dining.

Virtual Meetups like BINGO, Game Night, Speed Networking and more!

Text#Deluxeto830-357-7630tojoin!