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This January, students will have a chance to participate in two Networking Nights. The first will be held 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16 at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue on Broad and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia. The second will be held 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 at The Princeton Club on 15 West 43rd Street in New York City.
These networking opportunities are open to students of all majors and all class years. Students who wish to participate must register in person at Career Services, 201 Hogg Hall, before Tuesday, Dec. 19. A $20 refundable deposit is required at the time of registration, which will be given back to students who attend the event.
Students who choose to attend must provide their own transportation to and from the event. Business attire is required.
Sponsored by Career Services, these networking events give students a chance to meet with alumni representing a variety of industries and professions. Both venues will hold a “Tips to Enhance Your Networking Experience” workshop from 6-7 p.m. to help students make the most of the evenings. It will assist students with refining networking skills including making an approach, asking questions to engage in conversations, and techniques for leaving a positive impression.
The workshops will be followed by an alumni and student reception from 7-9 p.m.
Both events will offer an alumni only networking hour from 6-7 p.m. so attending alumni will have the opportunity to catch up with and network with one another before the alumni and student reception begins.
“The Networking Night provides me with an opportunity to broaden my connections with fellow alum while at the same time interacting with students that are potentially seeking opportunities in my career field,” says participating alumnus Jonathan Ellis ’98.
“Networking continues to be one of the most successful job search strategies in which students can engage, but it’s also the one students typically fear the most,” says Maureen Walz Boehmer, assistant director of special events for Career Services. “Networking is about establishing and sustaining relationships. This is a way for students to begin learning how to establish networking relationships, and this event allows them to start the process with alumni who are ready and willing to engage with them.”
Last year, 122 alumni attended the New York Networking Night, and Boehmer anticipates a similar turnout this year. This will be the first year for the Philadelphia Networking Night, so Boehmer is predicting a smaller but equally successful outcome.
“While it’s certain that many students will establish relationships with alumni at these events, the events will also hopefully alleviate some of the fear students experience regarding networking and make it easier for them to approach and establish relationships with other people as they broaden their networking circles,” she says.