What do you do if you want to establish a strong professional network as an intern?

The advice to be proactive should be taken with care- I prefer interns and new hires to not come on too strong. The best way to be proactive is to be curious- ask people what they are currently working on, where they are looking for help, or directly offer to do something to provide relief (paperwork, lead sorting, etc.) are always good ideas. I am usually impressed when someone takes notes during these conversations. Another tip is to ask people what others who have succeeded here have done- it shows you instantly what type of performance or behaviors that person values. Again, take notes.

Set Clear Goals: Determine what you hope to achieve through networking as an intern. Are you looking to explore different career paths, learn from experienced professionals, or secure future job opportunities? Setting clear goals will help you focus your networking efforts and maximize your impact. Be Proactive: Take initiative to reach out to colleagues, supervisors, and other professionals within your organization. Attend networking events, team meetings, and company gatherings where you can meet new people and make connections. Don't wait for opportunities to come to you—be proactive in seeking them out.

Adotar uma abordagem proativa ao explorar chances de networking e interação com especialistas do ramo, evidenciando um interesse autêntico em adquirir conhecimento e colaborar. Essa postura dinâmica viabiliza o estabelecimento de conexões relevantes e a nutrição de laços profissionais consistentes, fundamentais para o avanço na trajetória profissional durante o período de estágio.

After meeting someone new, send a follow-up email or message. Mention something specific from your conversation to jog their memory. For example, "I really enjoyed hearing about your project on Y. Could we grab coffee sometime to chat more?" This keeps the connection alive and shows you were truly interested.

Identify potential mentors and take time to research about them. What makes them tick, have they written a book, their key achievements or mantra etc to help decide if indeed they are aligned to your growth interests. this information will also be useful in helping you start meaningful conversations when you meet them. Lastly, be intentional about the kind of questions you ask them when you have a chance to engage them not random stuff like "what is your favourite food?"

Realçar a contribuição que você pode fornecer aos profissionais com quem interage, apresentando suas competências, expertise e energia para participar ativamente de projetos e empreendimentos. Demonstrar o que você pode oferecer, você amplia sua atratividade como um elo valioso em sua rede de contatos profissionais, consolidando suas conexões e chances de desenvolvimento como estagiário.

Always seek to add value. Everyone has something to offer whether that's a listening ear, morale support, specific advice (when people ask for it), connecting others or sharing feedback.

Focusing on offering value rather than solely seeking benefits is key to building meaningful connections. By sharing insights and volunteering skills, you showcase your capabilities and dedication, leaving a lasting impression. This approach fosters reciprocity, encouraging others to invest in your growth. It's a mutually beneficial strategy that enriches your learning journey and establishes you as a valuable asset in your network, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

In each industry, there are certain things that come with experience. That’s why mentors are important when you are an intern – they can give you insights gained from years of experience. They can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, set realistic career goals, and develop strategies to achieve them. Furthermore, mentors often have extensive professional networks. They can introduce you to key contacts and facilitate networking opportunities, which can be instrumental in securing future job opportunities or collaborations.

Mentors don't always have to come as 'formal mentors'. They don't even have to know they're your mentor! It's anyone in the industry you can learn from and go to for support but it's not a one-way street completely.

In my experience, mentors share their knowledge and experiences and help us guide our career path more effectively. They can introduce us to their professional networks, can expand our reach and possibilities. Mentors also offer personalized advice and feedback, which can accelerate our growth and development. And, when we build strong relationships with mentors, we gain trusted supporters who can help us make meaningful connections and advance in our careers.

Online engagement goes beyond just having a profile and reacting to posts that come through your newsfeed. Too often, I see many individuals have a LinkedIn profile (or equivalent platform) with minimal engagement. Invest time in developing your brand, building the profile you wish to showcase to the professional world, and sharing or creating content that demonstrates the area's most interest to you.

In today's digital landscape, online networking is paramount. Establish a professional profile on relevant social platforms, engaging with industry content and participating in discussions. Online connections complement in-person efforts, broadening your network reach. Your online presence serves as the initial impression, so align it with your professional goals and personality. Embracing online networking enhances opportunities for connecting with a diverse range of professionals, fostering collaboration and growth.

In my opinion, regular follow-ups, like sharing relevant articles or updates about our headway, keep our connections alive. And, after meeting someone, sending a short thank you email or message shows appreciation and supports the connection. So we should keep connections active and show genuine interest which will help us maintain a strong professional network as an intern. Also, communication builds stronger relationships, making it more likely that these contacts will remember us and support our career growth. Further, following up shows professionalism and initiative, qualities that are valued in any professional network.

Limiting yourself to networking only with professionals with specific job titles is a common mistake when you are an intern. While it might seem logical to focus on those directly in your desired role, this approach can severely restrict your learning and growth opportunities. Networking should be about building a diverse web of connections that can offer varied perspectives and insights. Expanding your network beyond specific job titles can lead to unexpected opportunities, and you might discover new career paths or interests that you hadn't considered before.

We should engage with a diverse group of professionals as this increases our understanding of different career paths and industry practices and helps us become more versatile and informed.  By connecting with individuals across various departments, companies, and industries, we broaden our exposure to diverse views and opportunities. This wide-ranging network can introduce us to potential mentors, offer new insights, and reveal job opportunities. Also, a wide network improves our professional support system and provides valuable resources and connections that can assist us throughout our careers.