Learning to Talk About Yourself Is the First Step

What was your experience with networking?

I’d say it was pretty organic. I reached out to some UVA connections I found through LinkedIn or recommendations. 

Most of it was grassroots – going to different recruiting events on grounds and meeting people there.

Some people I reached out to earlier on, fall of my second year. The early work helped more so for learning about myself – what I wanted and how different industries worked.

I knew I wanted to be in finance, and through talking to people I learned about the credit side where I’ll be working now.

There were industries I would’ve never known about if I hadn’t networked.

What do students misunderstand about networking?

It really depends. Some people are so stressed out about talking to as many people as they can vs focusing on the quality of what was said and what they learned from the conversation.

If your main motive is to learn about different industries, meet more people, and honestly learn about yourself and where you want to go, I think it can be different.

I’d also say to do your due diligence. Learn about who you’re talking to beforehand. Coming in prepared shows genuine interest and makes for a more productive conversation.

As you go along, you figure out more about yourself. 

For example, the “tell me about yourself” question. As you repeat it, you figure out how you want to talk about yourself and the phrasing, as well the cadence and timing.

How you present yourself and your curiosity is the way you stand out.