6 Expert Tips for Building and Maintaining Your Professional Network

A strong professional network can open doors to new careers and collaborations. Explore expert advice for building meaningful relationships and maintaining them over time.

Keyword(s): professional network

A strong professional network can help you discover job opportunities, gain career advice, and build lasting professional relationships. By developing the right networking skills and staying connected with the people you meet, you can create a support system that benefits your career development for years to come.

Landing a job often starts long before you submit an application. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), more than two-fifths (43%) of new college graduates received at least one job offer before graduation, with graduates averaging nearly one job offer each. These findings highlight the value of preparing early, gaining relevant experience, and building strong professional connections while you're still in school.

Whether you're a traditional student or balancing work, family, and education, investing in meaningful connections today can create opportunities long after graduation. If you're looking to learn more about navigating networking, the career experts at Rider's Center for Career Development and Success can support you.

Why Is Building a Professional Network Important?

A professional network is more than a list of contacts. It is a community of people who can offer guidance, introduce you to new opportunities, and provide valuable insight throughout your career. The relationships you build today can continue to support you as your career evolves.

Networking offers benefits beyond finding your first job. It can help you:

• Learn about industries and career paths.
• Discover internship and job opportunities before they're advertised.
• Gain advice from experienced professionals.
• Build confidence through regular conversations with employers and mentors.
• Expand your business networking opportunities throughout your career.

Networking may seem intimidating at first, but it doesn't have to be. The strongest networks are built over time through trust and genuine communication. Every conversation, internship, campus event, and online interaction is a chance to learn something new and meet someone who could influence your future.

Why Is Networking So Difficult?

Most people recognize the benefits of networking, but building and maintaining meaningful professional relationships can feel challenging. Many students and working professionals hesitate to reach out because they:

• Fear rejection
• Feel they lack experience
• Don't know how to start a conversation

Adult learners may face additional challenges as they balance coursework with careers, family responsibilities, and other personal commitments, leaving little time to attend networking events or build new connections.

Networking can also seem intimidating when it's viewed as asking others for favors rather than building genuine, mutually beneficial relationships.

In reality, successful networking is built on trust, shared interests, and consistent communication over time. Every interaction with professors, classmates, coworkers, mentors, alumni, or community members has the potential to become a valuable professional connection.

With a clear strategy and steady effort, building a strong professional social network becomes a manageable process that supports long-term career growth rather than an overwhelming task.

What Is the Best Way to Start Networking as a Student?

Many students assume they need years of experience before they can network successfully. In reality, college is one of the best times to start because you're surrounded by professors, classmates, alumni, career advisors, and employers who want to help students succeed.

1. Establish Your Career and Networking Goals

In any area of life, success begins with a clear plan. Networking is no different. Before reaching out to professionals or attending career events, identify what you hope to accomplish:

• Do you want to learn more about a particular industry?
• Find an internship?
• Connect with alumni working in your desired field?

Defining your objectives helps you build relationships that align with your long-term career development goals.

Rider offers extensive support for students and alumni exploring career paths. Career coaches work one-on-one with students to:

• Strengthen résumés
• Improve interview performance
• Develop networking skills
• Identify opportunities that match their interests

Internships are especially valuable because they provide more than workplace experience. They allow students to test different career paths before committing to one.

For example, a human resources student may discover that recruiting is a better fit than employee relations after completing an internship. These experiences also introduce students to professionals who can become valuable mentors or future references.

Coursework provides a strong foundation, but conversations with professionals often reveal career options you may never have considered. Researching industries and asking thoughtful questions allows you to uncover specialized roles that aren't always discussed in the classroom.

2. Build an Online Presence

Today, your online presence often creates your first impression before you ever meet someone in person. A polished LinkedIn profile serves as both your digital résumé and your personal branding platform.

Career experts recommend starting with a clear headline that reflects your interests and includes searchable terms relevant to your career goals. Then build your profile with:

• Experiences
• Projects
• Internships
• Volunteer work
• Relevant certifications
• Accomplishments that demonstrate your skills and potential

Once your profile is complete, focus on building meaningful connections instead of simply increasing your number of contacts. Start with professors, classmates, supervisors, and community members before expanding to alumni and professionals working in your target industry.

Rider experts encourage students to use LinkedIn's search tools to find alumni by career field. Alumni often enjoy helping current students by:

• Sharing advice
• Discussing career paths
• Offering insight into their industries

These conversations can become the foundation for long-lasting professional connections that extend well beyond graduation.

3. Create an Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a brief introduction that explains who you are, what you're interested in, and why someone should remember you. In about 30 seconds, you should be able to communicate your goals while inviting further conversation.

According to Rider's career experts, an effective elevator pitch should include:

• Your academic or professional background
• Career interests
• Relevant experiences
• A thoughtful reason for speaking with the other person

Just as importantly, prepare to continue the conversation after your introduction. Employers and professionals often ask follow-up questions about internships, coursework, projects, or career goals.

Rider's Center for Career Development and Success helps students develop these communication skills through individual coaching sessions and classroom workshops. Students receive personalized guidance on:

• Résumés
• Cover letters
• Interviewing
• LinkedIn profiles
• Networking conversations

Practicing these interactions regularly builds confidence, making it easier to introduce yourself at career fairs, employer events, and professional gatherings.

4. Attend Relevant Industry and Networking Events

Meeting professionals face-to-face remains one of the fastest ways to grow your professional network. Career fairs, employer panels, alumni events, and industry conferences allow you to learn directly from people working in your field while making connections that can support your future career development and success.

Rider regularly hosts career fairs, networking events, employer information sessions, and industry panels that connect students with professionals across many fields. These events give students the chance to:

• Ask questions
• Learn about workplace expectations
• Practice their communication skills in a professional setting

Don't limit yourself to events tied only to your major.

Exploring different industries can broaden your perspective and introduce you to career paths you may not have considered. Likewise, joining student organizations, volunteering on campus, or participating in community activities creates additional opportunities for meaningful business networking.

Before attending any event, take a few minutes to prepare by researching participating employers and thinking about the questions you'd like to ask. Afterward, send a brief thank-you message or LinkedIn connection request to continue building the relationship.

Consistent follow-up often leaves a stronger impression than the initial conversation itself.

5. Make Good Use of Your Connections, Old and New

Many students underestimate the value of the relationships they already have. Family members, friends, professors, supervisors, classmates, coworkers, and former colleagues can all become valuable parts of your professional network. Every connection represents a chance to:

• Learn
• Receive advice
• Discover new opportunities

Many adult learners, in particular, often bring years of workplace experience and existing professional connections that younger students may not yet have. Recognizing the value of those relationships can provide a significant advantage during a career transition.

Rider's career experts encourage students to treat every professional interaction with respect because you never know where future opportunities may come from. For instance:

• A university professor may introduce you to an employer
• A former coworker may recommend you for a position
• A classmate may become a future business partner

To help students stay engaged despite busy schedules, Rider offers networking events throughout the semester on different days and times. These events are open to students and alumni from every major, making it easier to connect with professionals across multiple industries while expanding your business networking opportunities.

Remember that networking should always be a two-way relationship. Whenever possible, share useful resources, congratulate others on their achievements, or introduce people who could benefit from knowing one another. Small acts of generosity help build trust and strengthen relationships over time.

6. Stay in Touch

Building a professional network is only the beginning. Maintaining those relationships is what turns new contacts into trusted mentors, colleagues, and advocates throughout your career.

LinkedIn provides an excellent platform for staying visible without overwhelming your network. Sharing occasional updates reminds your contacts of your progress while giving them opportunities to celebrate your achievements or reconnect.

Consider posting updates when you:

• Complete a major academic project or certification.
• Accept a new internship or job.
• Attend a conference, career fair, or networking event.
• Earn an award or scholarship.
• Relocate and begin exploring opportunities in a new area.

Career experts also recommend reaching out personally from time to time. Congratulate contacts on promotions, comment thoughtfully on their professional updates, or send a quick message to check in after several months. These genuine interactions keep relationships active without feeling transactional.