Networking 101: How to Build Relationships in Tech

Question: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'networking'?"

• Awkward small talk at events
• Using people for personal gain
• Fake conversations and business cards
• Something only extroverts can do

Reality Check: Good networking is just building genuine relationships with people who share your interests!

Common Networking Fears:

• "I'm too introverted for networking"
• "I don't have anything valuable to offer"
• "People will think I'm just using them"
• "I don't know what to say"
• "I'm just a student, why would they care?"

Truth: Most professionals LOVE helping students and sharing their experiences!

Networking IS:

• Building genuine relationships based on mutual interests
• Learning from others' experiences and sharing your own
• Creating a support system for your career journey
• Finding mentors, peers, and eventually mentees
• Discovering opportunities through trusted connections

Networking IS NOT:

• Collecting business cards like Pokemon cards
• Immediately asking for jobs or favors
• Pretending to be someone you're not
• Only reaching out when you need something
• Transactional relationships with no genuine interest

The Networking Mindset Shift:

From: "What can this person do for me?"

To: "How can we help each other grow?"

From: "I need to impress them"

To: "I'm genuinely curious about their journey"

The Three Circles of Networking

Circle 1: Your Immediate Network (Start Here!)

• Classmates: Your future colleagues and collaborators
• Professors: Industry connections and research opportunities
• TAs and Graduate Students: Recent job market experience
• Family and Friends: You'd be surprised who they know
• Coworkers: From part-time jobs, internships, volunteer work

Circle 2: JMU Extended Network

• Alumni: JMU grads in your field of interest
• Career Services: Counselors with industry connections
• Guest Speakers: Professionals who visit campus
• Career Fair Representatives: Recruiters and hiring managers
• Professional Organizations: Student chapters of industry groups

Circle 3: Industry Professionals

• LinkedIn Connections: People in roles you want
• Conference Attendees: Virtual and in-person events
• Online Communities: Discord, Reddit, Twitter tech communities
• Company Employees: People at your target companies
• Industry Leaders: Thought leaders and influencers

Strategy: Start with Circle 1, then expand outward as you build confidence!

Cold Outreach Success Formula

Research Before You Reach Out:

• Read their LinkedIn profile thoroughly
• Check their company's recent news or blog posts
• Look for common connections or experiences
• Find something specific to mention or ask about

The Perfect Cold Message Structure:

1. Personal Connection (1 sentence): How you found them or what you have in common
2. Genuine Compliment (1 sentence): Something specific about their work or career
3. Your Situation (1-2 sentences): Who you are and what you're working toward
4. Specific Ask (1 sentence): What you'd like from them (advice, not a job!)
5. Easy Out (1 sentence): Acknowledge they're busy and it's okay to decline

Cold Message Examples:

LinkedIn Message Template:

"Hi [Name], I came across your profile while researching software engineers at [Company] and was impressed by your work on [specific project/achievement]. I'm a junior CS student at JMU exploring career paths in [their field], and I'd love to learn about your journey from [previous role] to [current role]. Would you be open to a brief 15-minute call to share any advice for someone just starting out? I completely understand if your schedule doesn't allow for it. Thanks for considering!"

Email Template:

"Subject: JMU Student Seeking Career Advice

Hi [Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I'm [Your Name], a [year] [major] student at James Madison University. I found your contact through [how you found them] and was fascinated by your career path, particularly your transition from [X] to [Y].

I'm currently exploring opportunities in [field] and would greatly value any insights you might have about breaking into the industry. Would you be available for a brief 15-20 minute phone call in the coming weeks?

I understand you must be incredibly busy, so please don't feel obligated to respond if this isn't a good time.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your LinkedIn]
[Your Phone]"

What is an Informational Interview?

A casual conversation where you learn about someone's career, industry, or company. It's NOT a job interview!

Why Professionals Say Yes:

• They remember being in your shoes
• It feels good to help and share knowledge
• They're proud of their work and like talking about it
• It's low-pressure and low-commitment
• They might learn something from your fresh perspective

Preparing for Informational Interviews:

• Research thoroughly: Company, role, recent projects, background
• Prepare 8-10 questions: Focus on their experience and advice
• Set expectations: 15-30 minutes, advice-seeking, not job-hunting
• Choose the format: Phone, video call, coffee, or lunch

Great Informational Interview Questions:

• "What does a typical day/week look like in your role?"
• "What do you enjoy most about working at [Company]?"
• "What skills have been most important for success in your field?"
• "What do you wish you had known when you were starting out?"
• "How did you make the transition from [previous role] to [current role]?"
• "What trends do you see shaping the industry?"
• "What would make someone stand out as a candidate for this type of role?"
• "Who else would you recommend I speak with?"

Questions to AVOID:

• "Are there any job openings?" (Too direct, too early)
• "What's your salary?" (Too personal)
• "Can you get me an interview?" (Puts them in awkward position)
• Anything you could easily Google

Making the Most of In-Person Networking

Before the Event:

• Research attendees: Know which companies/people will be there
• Set goals: 3-5 meaningful conversations, not 20 business cards
• Prepare your elevator pitch: 30-second introduction
• Bring materials: Resumes, business cards, portfolio if relevant
• Plan your outfit: Professional but comfortable

Your 30-Second Elevator Pitch:

Formula: Name + Status + Interest + Goal + Question

Example: "Hi, I'm Sarah, a junior Computer Science student at JMU. I'm really interested in cybersecurity and have been working on some penetration testing projects. I'm looking to learn more about the industry and hopefully find an internship for next summer. What's it like working in security at [Company]?"

During Conversations:

• Listen more than you talk: Ask follow-up questions
• Be genuinely curious: About their work, company, career path
• Share relevant experiences: Projects, coursework, interests
• Take notes: On business cards or in your phone
• Ask for next steps: "Would it be okay if I connected with you on LinkedIn?"

After the Event:

• Follow up within 48 hours: While you're still fresh in their memory
• Personalize each message: Reference your specific conversation
• Connect on LinkedIn: With a personalized invitation
• Organize your contacts: Notes about each person and company

Networking is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

The Follow-Up Strategy:

• Immediate (24-48 hours): Thank you message with key takeaways
• Short-term (2-4 weeks): Update on advice you implemented
• Medium-term (2-3 months): Share relevant article or opportunity
• Long-term (6+ months): Major updates, holiday greetings, congratulations

Ways to Add Value to Your Network:

• Share relevant articles: Industry news, interesting blog posts
• Make introductions: Connect people who should know each other
• Offer your skills: Help with projects, research, social media
• Provide feedback: Test their products, review their content
• Celebrate their wins: Congratulate on promotions, achievements

Staying Organized:

• CRM System: Use Notion, Airtable, or even a spreadsheet
• Track interactions: When you last spoke, what you discussed
• Set reminders: To follow up at appropriate intervals
• Note personal details: Hobbies, family, interests for future conversations

Digital Networking Strategies

LinkedIn Networking:

• Engage with content: Like, comment thoughtfully on posts
• Share valuable content: Articles, insights, project updates
• Join relevant groups: Industry groups, alumni networks
• Use LinkedIn messaging: For warm introductions and follow-ups

Tech Community Platforms:

• Twitter/X: Follow industry leaders, join conversations
• Discord servers: Join tech communities and participate actively
• Reddit: r/cscareerquestions, r/programming, industry-specific subs
• GitHub: Contribute to open source, follow interesting developers
• Dev.to: Write articles, comment on others' posts

Virtual Events and Webinars:

• Attend regularly: Industry conferences, company tech talks
• Participate in chat: Ask questions, share insights
• Follow up with speakers: Thank them and ask follow-up questions
• Connect with other attendees: Use event hashtags and LinkedIn

Introvert-Friendly Networking Strategies

Play to Your Strengths:

• One-on-one conversations: Skip large events, focus on coffee chats
• Online networking: Start relationships digitally before meeting in person
• Preparation: Research thoroughly, prepare questions in advance
• Deep conversations: Focus on meaningful connections over quantity

Energy Management:

• Set realistic goals: 2-3 conversations instead of working the whole room
• Take breaks: Step outside or find quiet spaces to recharge
• Schedule strategically: Don't overbook networking events
• Follow up in writing: Where you can be more thoughtful and articulate

Alternative Networking Approaches:

• Volunteer at events: Gives you a role and natural conversation starters
• Attend workshops: Shared learning experience creates natural bonds
• Join small groups: Book clubs, study groups, hobby groups
• Leverage existing relationships: Ask for warm introductions

Your Professional Network Building Mission

Week 1: Foundation and Research

Days 1-3: Network Audit and Strategy

• Create a comprehensive list of your current network (aim for 50+ people)
• Categorize contacts by relationship strength and industry relevance
• Identify 20 target companies you're interested in
• Research and create a list of 30 professionals you'd like to connect with
• Set up a networking CRM system (spreadsheet or tool) to track interactions

Days 4-5: LinkedIn Optimization and Outreach Preparation

• Optimize your LinkedIn profile based on previous lesson feedback
• Write 5 different cold outreach message templates for different scenarios
• Prepare your 30-second elevator pitch and practice it until natural
• Research upcoming networking events, career fairs, and virtual conferences

Days 6-7: Initial Outreach Wave

• Send 10 personalized LinkedIn connection requests to JMU alumni
• Send 5 cold outreach messages requesting informational interviews
• Engage meaningfully with 20 LinkedIn posts from industry professionals
• Join 3 relevant LinkedIn groups or online communities

Week 2: Engagement and Relationship Building

Days 8-10: Informational Interviews and Deep Conversations

• Conduct at least 3 informational interviews (phone, video, or in-person)
• Attend 1 networking event (virtual or in-person) and have 5 meaningful conversations
• Follow up with all new connections within 48 hours
• Send thank you messages to informational interview participants

Days 11-12: Content Creation and Value Addition

• Write and publish a LinkedIn post about your networking experience or industry insights
• Share 3 valuable articles with your network, adding thoughtful commentary
• Make 2 introductions between people in your network who should know each other
• Offer help or assistance to 3 connections (feedback, research, connections)

Days 13-14: Follow-up and System Building

• Send follow-up messages to all new connections from the past two weeks
• Schedule calendar reminders for future follow-ups (1 month, 3 months, 6 months)
• Update your CRM with all new contacts and interaction notes
• Plan your ongoing networking strategy for the next 3 months

Required Deliverables:

1. Network Audit Spreadsheet: Complete list of current and target connections
2. Informational Interview Reports: Summary of 3 interviews with key insights
3. LinkedIn Engagement Portfolio: Screenshots of your posts and meaningful comments
4. Cold Outreach Templates: 5 different message templates with examples
5. Networking Event Summary: Report from attending 1 networking event
6. CRM System: Organized system for tracking all networking activities
7. 3-Month Networking Plan: Strategy for continued relationship building

Success Metrics:

• Quantity: 25+ new meaningful connections made
• Quality: 3+ informational interviews completed
• Engagement: 50+ LinkedIn interactions (posts, comments, shares)
• Value Creation: 5+ instances of helping others in your network
• System Building: Organized CRM with follow-up schedule

Bonus Challenges:

• Get featured in someone else's LinkedIn post or article
• Receive a referral or job lead through your networking efforts
• Mentor or help a younger student through your connections
• Get invited to speak at an event or join a panel
• Land a coffee chat with someone you really admire in the industry

Your Complete Networking Mastery Roadmap

Don't Forget to Submit Your Networking Challenge Results!

Once you've completed your 2-week networking challenge and all deliverables, make sure to submit your homework by visiting the Homework tab in the navigation menu and filling out the submission form.

Include:

• Your network audit spreadsheet
• Informational interview summaries
• LinkedIn engagement examples
• Cold outreach templates
• Networking event report
• Your 3-month networking plan

Submission Deadline: Two weeks from today's meeting date

This assignment is worth double points due to its comprehensive nature!