After you graduate from college, going from having a community to suddenly not having that tight-knit community can be a challenging transition. Having graduated with my Bachelor’s in Marketing in 2004, I found very quickly that the best way to maintain your network was to continuously get together with those in your network. In 2004, LinkedIn was a year old, and it quickly gained traffic. I have always utilized Linkedin as a way to stay connected with my network, but I don’t believe that one should underestimate the power of in-person sit-downs and how strong you can keep your bond when you do have coffee with someone frequently. As the years have passed, I have still stayed connected with others that were in the same courses as myself. We have exchanged contacts, we have done each other favor’s in tough times, but most of all we have supported each other throughout our journeys, something that’s crucial to do in the professional world.
I am definitely passionate about this topic as I've seen first hand being in the recruiting industry for 16+ years post graduating W.P. Carey, what an asset your network can be throughout your career. My biggest piece of advice overall would be to approach maintaining your network by prioritizing and nurturing relationships. My top three strategies to ensure you're keeping your network healthy real-time would be: 1) Engage frequently with your networks content on LinkedIn - react, comment, write recommendations. Stay active. 2) Attend networking events - whether ASU Alumni events or former company alumni events - keep growing your network and community! 3) Build meaningful connections - for your trusted network - set a cadence to reach out and engage 1:1 for a coffee catch up or video chat. Look for opportunities to build a mutually beneficial relationship through mentorship, brainstorming and introductions. Be generous. W.P. Carey | B.S. Marketing | 2006
My goal is to keep "maintain my network" without getting burnt out so I mix it up. A casual coffee chat can give me that solid face-to-face connection, but I can't do that every day (or even every week). That's where LinkedIn or text comes in - a quick "Hey, saw this article and thought of you" keeps the lines open without a big time investment. Personal gestures like remembering birthdays keep people feeling special, while a generic Linkedin update keeps everyone in the loop and allows me to engage through comments. It's about balancing the personal and the generic, the in-person and the online, so you're engaged but not exhausted.
Creating a centralized platform for ASU alumni and students to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge. This database facilitates real-time networking, bridging the gap between alumni and students. It provides a directory of alumni from various industries, allowing students to search and connect with alumni in their desired fields. Students can learn from alumni's experiences, gain industry insights, and explore potential career paths through meaningful connections.
Real-time network maintenance requires actively nurturing current connections and seeking new ones that align with your study and career objectives. It is not only about building connections, but also about setting a realistic frequency at which you will reach out to your connections to share your achievements and struggles without bothering them. Stay connected with industry professionals in your major as a student. Having these people in your network has two benefits: First, they will help you polish your skills, and second, as you grow, they will act as “professional search engines” for you…offering guidance and opportunities, sharing relevant resources, and contributing to your career success. Networking always comes with opportunities and guidance for students. With networking, they can learn about new ideas, know about the trends, and broaden their knowledge and skills, which will eventually help them to have a competitive edge.
Maintaining Your Network as an ASU Alumni: As an Arizona State University (ASU) alumni, you have a built-in network of fellow Sun Devils all over the world. But just having this network isn't enough; it's important to actively maintain and utilize it throughout your professional and personal life. So what does "maintaining your network" look like in real-time for ASU alumni? It involves staying connected with your peers, whether through social media, professional networking events, or simply catching up over coffee. It also means being open to new connections and opportunities that may arise. But it's not just about what you can gain from your network; it's also about what you can give back. Mentorship is a valuable way to maintain your network and give back to the ASU community. As an alumni, you have valuable knowledge and experience that current students can benefit from.
An alumni newsletter can be a valuable resource for ASU alumni to maintain their network in real-time. Students can learn from this by staying connected with the alumni community, getting industry updates, and accessing job opportunities. For example, the newsletter can feature alumni spotlights, where successful alumni share their career journeys and advice. It can also include industry trends, job openings, and upcoming networking events. Students can learn from alumni experiences and gain insights into various career paths. (Computer Science major, Class of 2019)
Maintaining your network manifests in the world of work For students, maintaining your network is largely for the purpose of finding a job. University placements provide crucial insights into potential employers and the world of work. Connecting with the people can help students access job opportunities and interact with industry professionals. What students can learn is that networking is multifaceted; it involves building relationships, seeking guidance, and leveraging resources like placement offices to navigate the job market successfully. (Not ASU alumni)
Maintaining your network in real-time can be quite the juggling act, but it's also a valuable skill that can benefit students in numerous ways. Imagine your network as a garden – it needs constant care and attention. One key aspect of this is staying in touch with your connections. It's not just about sending the occasional message on LinkedIn; it's about genuinely engaging with them. Share articles or posts that you think might interest them, comment on their updates, and celebrate their achievements. Networking is a two-way street, so be ready to offer help and support when needed. I once had a connection who was looking for a job, and I remembered a company that was hiring in their field. I made the introduction, and it turned out to be a game-changer for them. This kind of proactive networking can make a big difference.
Maintaining your network looks like the movie scene right before the climax when the humbled protagonist asks their friend for help, and/or that friend shows up without being asked. Key words being, humbled, friends, asking and showing up. If you don't genuinely care about people why would they help you, or why would want to help them? Sure you want to get business done or land a job - the time to earn that trust and credibility is before. "Build the well before you're thirsty." networking just adds, "then ask your friends if they want anything to drink." Global Business, 2004
ASU alumni can maintain their network by offering exclusive discounts or benefits to fellow alumni. This initiative not only incentivizes alumni to stay connected and engaged but also showcases the practical benefits of maintaining a strong network. For example, an ASU alumni association could partner with local businesses to provide discounted services, exclusive offers, or access to events. By promoting these discounts through a dedicated platform, alumni can connect with and support each other in their personal and professional endeavors. Students can learn from this approach by understanding that networking goes beyond mere socializing—it offers tangible benefits that can enhance their professional lives. They can also learn the importance of building mutually beneficial relationships and leveraging these connections to explore opportunities. (Finance, 2016)
Regular Networking Engagement: From my own experience as an ASU alum, I've learned that maintaining your network as an alum, or in any alumni group, is a long-term commitment that requires you to both keep in touch with people you already know and meet new people. From what I've seen, this means staying involved with your alma mater through alumni events, workshops, and reunions, where you can meet up with former peers and teachers who had a big impact on your education. I've found it helpful to be involved in alumni associations or online groups related to my major and industry. This has helped me stay up to date on industry trends and job opportunities. Also, reaching out to other alumni for advice, guidance, or to work together has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Students should know that networking isn't just something they do after they graduate; it's an important part of their schooling and future success. "Business Administration, graduation year is 2010".
Regular Networking Engagement: From my own experience as an ASU alum, I've learned that maintaining your network as an alum, or in any alumni group, is a long-term commitment that requires you to both keep in touch with people you already know and meet new people. From what I've seen, this means staying involved with your alma mater through alumni events, workshops, and reunions, where you can meet up with former peers and teachers who had a big impact on your education. I've found it helpful to be involved in alumni associations or online groups related to my major and industry. This has helped me stay up to date on industry trends and job opportunities. Also, reaching out to other alumni for advice, guidance, or to work together has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Students should know that networking isn't just something they do after they graduate; it's an important part of their schooling and future success. "Business Administration, graduation year is 2010".
Coming up with interesting points of discussion It’s not as difficult as it used to be to stay connected to your network due to the ease of digital communication. As there are many digital groups and platforms that allow you to stay in contact with your network, the best way to stay active and maintain connections is by sharing interesting points of discussions relevant to your industry and expertise. This could be sharing an article of new technology and sharing your opinion on how it will improve/hinder your industry, sharing latest news or motivational videos and tips you found useful. The more relevant or interesting your posts are, the more interaction you’ll receive and the easier it is to maintain connections and build stronger ones in the process.