Networking gets thrown around often when discussing getting an internship or job. But what exactly does it mean to network, and how can it be done successfully?
At its core, networking is really just communication. Whether you’re talking to industry professionals, peers, or professors, the goal is to ask career-related questions to learn more about a field, understand qualifications, or gain insights about the recruiting process. Connecting with people helps you become better informed and can be a great way to stand out from other candidates during the recruiting process.
Here are five standout tips and takeaways from USC Career Center advisor Lauren Opgenorth, covered in our recent workshop Internships 101: Leverage Your Trojan Network (workshop recording available on YouTube!).
1. It’s a Relationship, Not a Transaction
Networking is never about asking people for a job.
Think of it almost like dating. You usually don’t go from a first hello to asking someone to commit. You take the time to know someone, find common ground, and build a foundation first.
The same applies in the professional world. Rather than opening with an ask, lead with genuine career-related questions. You can ask questions regarding the following to get the conversation started:
- What does your day-to-day look like?
- How did you get into the field?
- What qualifications actually matter in [industry]?
Asking thoughtful questions is what makes networking feel more natural instead of transactional.
2. Use Your School’s Alumni Network and Filter Smart
While LinkedIn is a great tool that helps you connect with industry professionals, an additional resource available exclusively to USC students is the Trojan Network.
The Trojan Network is an online networking platform where alumni have actively opted in to give back to current students and support with the following topics: industry insights, resume review, interview prep, mentorship, and more.
Here are some quick tips for using the platform to start connecting with USC alums:
- Filter by user type, industry, location, or company to narrow a huge list down to something manageable
- Some profiles say “Message”; others say “View Profile.” Alumni who’ve hit their monthly capacity for conversations will show as unavailable. You can usually get notified once they open back up.
- Map view can show you connections by geography, useful if you’re eyeing a specific city or region for an internship.
- Set up search alerts so you get notified when new alumni matching your criteria join.
- Get a free professional headshot if your school’s career center offers one — profiles with a photo tend to feel more approachable to reach out to.
3. Personalize Every Message You Send
If you’re using an outreach template, don’t just copy and paste it.
Career center staff have heard directly from alumni and employers who get frustrated receiving the same generic message over and over. Generic messages tend to get a generic response back or even no response.
Instead, tailor your outreach by mentioning something specific in your email/message: a shared major, hometown, student organization, or even a professor you both had.
Keep your ask small and clear. 15 to 20 minutes is a very reasonable amount of time to request for an initial conversation.
A well-thought-out, personalized message sets you apart from someone sending the same generic note to fifty different people. Quality over quantity is key.
4. Learn About Internships Without Directly Asking
Instead of asking directly for an internship, ask about their path.
Some professionals don’t want to be asked about job openings. Many may work for organizations that already have a formal recruiting pathway. However, you may still be able to get information regarding their organization’s job opportunities by asking the right questions.
Helpful questions to guide your conversation include:
- “How did you first get connected with this organization?”
- “Was it a student org, a referral, or word of mouth that got you in the door?”
- “Is there anyone in HR or early-career recruiting you’d recommend I talk to?”
This gets you the same useful information without putting the other person in an uncomfortable spot. The information you receive also often uncovers the “hidden job market”: more than 85% of hires happen through a referral rather than a cold application.
Understanding someone’s own path can help you on yours.
5. Follow Up and Keep the Door Open
One conversation isn’t the finish line.
Before you wrap up a coffee chat or informational interview, ask if it’s okay to follow up later. You can also ask if there’s anyone else in their network worth talking to. A warm introduction from someone you’ve already built trust with is far more effective than starting cold with someone new.
Following up also helps you stay organized: use a spreadsheet to document who you talked to, what was discussed, and your planned follow-up. This will help you once you’re juggling multiple conversations alongside classes and midterms.
Networking usually doesn’t feel natural at first, and that’s normal. With enough repetition, networking becomes a habit rather than something that feels forced.
