My Experience of Networking: How I Made Connections Before Even Stepping On Campus

Kirk Zieser, MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance shares his top tips for building your network and making connections that last, before your first day at Imperial College Business School. 

This time last year, I was full of curiosity – curiosity that teetered between anxiety and excitement. With less than one month before my programme, MSc Climate Change, Management, and Finance, was due to begin, I was preoccupied with one of two thoughts. It was always either… 

Will I make friends at Imperial? Will I be able to build professional and support networks in a new city, country, and continent? 

or... 

How in the world will I be able to keep my suitcases under the weight limit? 

Although packing for your upcoming move to London may be a challenge, building your network doesn’t have to be. Take a few proactive steps and you’ll be counting those connections in no time. 

"I assure you: you will build strong connections. You will create a robust professional network. And most importantly, you will make friends at Imperial who cheer for you to achieve your professional goals and support you through all your ups and downs. "

Unibuddy: find your community 

When you received your offer to attend Imperial  College Business School (hooray!), you should have also received an invite to join Unibuddy Community. Through Unibuddy, you can join your programme’s official group and meet incoming students from across the Business School. This is a great first way to get to know other students and lay the groundwork for your network.  

LinkedIn: your built-in best friend 

If you haven’t already discovered the joys of the corporate world’s favourite social media site, you’re in for a treat! LinkedIn is your one-stop shop to build a CV, make connections, and watch your network blossom into a fully formed web that can help you land that dream internship or make a first introduction. Regardless of your LinkedIn level – from “I still need to download the app” to “LinkedIn is literally my home screen” – the Business School will provide a wealth of resources and workshops at the start of the year to help you hone your profile into a masterpiece you’ll be proud to link in your email signature. 

The best things you can do right now are: 

1. If you haven’t already, go create your LinkedIn account. It’s okay if it remains pretty basic for the time being – you’ll have the chance to improve it later. 

2. Remember all those students you just met through Unibuddy Community? Search them on LinkedIn and request to connect! 

Your master’s cohort is an excellent place to start building your network. All your soon-to-be classmates are just as interested in meeting you as you are in meeting them, so don’t hesitate to send those “connect” requests and start the conversation! 

As you search for jobs and people, LinkedIn will indicate if any fellow Imperial alumni work at a particular company, or if you have any connections in common. Having a shared academic background or connection makes for a great icebreaker, so if you see someone you’d like to connect with, you can always add a note in your connection request to introduce yourself! (Hint: if you don’t see the option to “Connect”, click “More”, then “Connect”, then “Add a note”. You’ll be limited to 300 characters, so use them wisely!

"Your master’s cohort is an excellent place to start building your network. All your soon-to-be classmates are just as interested in meeting you as you are in meeting them, so don’t hesitate to send those “connect” requests and start the conversation!"

Start with what you know 

Moving to London can be daunting – it certainly was for me. Coming from the US, I didn’t know anyone on this side of the Atlantic and was nervous about building my professional network, especially since I realised how it’s often your connections at a company, not a cover letter, that help your job application really stand out. Throughout the year, Imperial College Business School will bring in several guest speakers that can form the core of your UK professional network. But if you’re particularly eager to start your network, you may be surprised by who your current contacts know. For example, when I told a friend in the US I was going to Imperial, she shared she has a long-time colleague working in sustainability consulting in the UK. She put the two of us in touch, and conversation flowed from there. Just like that, I had my first connection.