Networking

Networking is the process by which you develop and benefit from personal contacts.  The more people you speak to the more contacts you gain in the professional world.  A good network can help you stand out in an applicant pool and be considered for promotions and additional responsibility at work. 

Whether you are reading this as a freshman or as a PhD candidate finishing a dissertation, you will probably be facing the overwhelming and exciting task of finding a job.  During your years at SBU you may have relied on a small group made up of friends, family, faculty and staff for support and guidance.  Their advice has given you access to invaluable resources that have been a large part of your success as a student. 

When you graduate what happens to this web of support?  Can you carry it with you to ensure that your career goals are pursued on a solid path? Of Course you can!  Just don’t forget, a great network NEVER stops growing.  Consider the following as ways you can cultivate the most valuable career development tool you will need in the professional world:

Consider the Network you Already Have:
If you haven’t specifically considered networking until now, don’t think you’re starting from scratch.  Think of faculty members and professors with whom you have developed relationships at SBU.  Often if they have recognized your achievements in the academic world, they are willing to refer you to colleagues in the professional world. Inquire about internships and experiences where you could gain experience and add contacts to your network. 

The Career Contact & Advisory Network
This network is a database of SBU alumni and friends who want to help you find your way in the professional world.  Access this network of individuals from all walks of life through your ZebraNet account.

Stony Brook Alumni Association
Visit the Alumni Association on the 1st floor of the Melville Library to learn about SBU graduates in a variety of fields.  Inquire about joining the Association and attending the many networking events that are held throughout the year.  Membership fees are often offered at discounted rates for recent grads.

Join a Professional Association
Joining a Professional Association has many advantages.  In addition to having access to updated information about your field, you can usually access job postings and attend conferences where you can meet experienced and knowledgeable professionals.  Here are a few examples:

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)

If you want to find an association for your particular area of interest come to the Career Center and browse the Encyclopedia of Associations.  You can also search for associations online and ask people you know what associations they belong to.

Set Up an Informational Interview
If you’ve done your homework about an industry and would like to learn a little more about the particulars of a company, position, or career; informational interviewing is a great way to gain more knowledge!  Contact a professional via phone or email and ask if he/she would be willing to have a conversation with you.  These interviews are usually brief.  Be sure to research the industry or position of interest to avoid wasting your interviewee’s time with general questions you could answer on your own.  Asking specific questions can open doors to information your peers may not have, in turn, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.   

Make the Most of Your Networking Experiences
Don’t forget that every person you meet, whether at a conference or a convenience store, is a possible part of your network.  Always remember to maintain the level of professionalism you would like to achieve during your career.  If you dream about being the CEO of a pharmaceutical company present yourself with the same level of decorum that you would posses in such a prestigious position.