As an incoming freshman at UW-Madison, it can be daunting. New people, new classes, new routines. It is all new, and you may not know where to begin. No matter what you’re studying, the number one piece of advice that professionals give is to network, network, network.
Although that advice remains true, networking doesn’t have to be difficult. It can be as easy as getting involved in student organizations, talking with professors, and overall being kind and authentic in every interaction. In my own experience, you never know who you are talking to, and you may end up crossing paths with them again.
For a class a couple of semesters ago, I had to find people to interview for a project. I was able to interview three individuals, all of whom gave me useful information for my project. I made sure I was kind and personable in each interaction.
Fast forward to this past semester, as I was on the job hunt for an internship, I was applying for opportunities left and right. After finally getting an interview and landing the job, I was very excited to start my first day at work this spring.
As I walk into work, the first person I see is one of the individuals I interviewed for the project. She greets me with a warm smile, and I instantly feel welcomed in this new environment.
This goes to show how important it is to understand that even the most simple interactions could influence your future, as you never know who you will see again.