How to Network Professionally as a Student: The Digital Do’s and Don’ts

Students who want to jumpstart their careers should develop their skill in networking. After all, networking is all about expanding your network, which can help significantly when seeking internships, part-time jobs, or long-term employment. The right connections can definitely open doors and create opportunities. 

These days, digital networking has become the trend. This is because a lot of communication now happens online. Let’s explore some tips that can help you, as a student, network professionally online, with a special focus on how using a custom domain name for email can improve your online communication.

The Importance of Professional Networking for Students

For students, professional networking is more than just about getting a job. Instead, it’s about creating meaningful connections with potential employers, mentors, and peers in your field. These relationships can open doors in the future, as well as provide resources and guidance. 

Most networking happens in digital spaces like email, LinkedIN, and virtual events. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that your online presence is both professional and polished.

Below are some do’s and don’ts for successful digital networking as a student:

Do: Create a Professional Online Presence

Start with creating a professional online presence. This entails making sure your LinkedIn profile is complete, updated, and professional. Always remember that your digital footprint plays a huge role in how others perceive you. Therefore, you need to have a professional headshot, a clear summary of your skills, and relevant academic or work experience.

Aside from social platforms, you can also consider creating a personal website. There are website builders you can use to help you build a website from scratch even without extensive technical knowledge. Most website builders promote DIY when it comes to creating a website. This gives you the freedom to design your website the way you want it to look so that it meets your expectations and specific needs.

Another important element of your online presence is having a professional domain name for email. This adds a layer of credibility and professionalism, especially when you are contacting mentors or employers. It’s a very effective way to set yourself apart from the crowd and show that you are taking your career seriously.

Don’t: Use Casual Email Addresses

Never use casual email addresses, as it shows you in a negative light to employers or mentors. Email addresses like “happygoluckystudent1234@gmail.com” might have sounded fun in high school, but it can truly undermine your professionalism in the job market. This is why using a professional domain name is important — it highlights just how serious you are in your endeavors to network professionally.

Do: Be Proactive in Making Connections

Digital networking requires taking initiative. This means you need to put in hard work to reach out to people so they become part of your network. Sitting around and waiting for connections without doing something will definitely not lead to anything good in terms of your networking endeavors.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to people who inspire you or work in your field of interest. Make sure that your outreach is personalized because it is more effective compared to a generic one. After an initial conversation, work hard to stay in touch. Over time, your professional network will grow.

Don’t: Be Overly Formal or Impersonal

Sometimes, being too formal can come across as impersonal. Always go for a tone that is respectful but still approachable. Do not use complex language, lengthy explanations, or jargon when writing emails or messages. Keep your messages brief and well-written. This will leave a stronger impression compared to a verbose and impersonal one.

In addition to, never resort to sending out mass, generic emails. People are more likely to respond to you if you take the time to personalize your communication.

Networking as a student might take a lot of work, but it’s a very important part of career development. What you are doing today in terms of networking will surely bear fruit in the future as you look for career opportunities. By following these digital do’s and don’ts, you’ll be able to create valuable relationships that can surely help your career.