Log on and link up: Networking tips for online grad students
When a graduate program is one hundred percent online, it can seem like the opportunities for networking are few and far between. Many graduate students have other responsibilities such as full-time jobs that can make it feel as though forging professional connections is something that would take too much time or energy. Julie Pharr, the assistant dean for graduate business programs at Tennessee Tech University, shared some of her tips on how to easily add some valuable networking to your graduate school experience.
Look for Opportunities in Your Classes
There may be chances for networking hiding in plain sight within the classes themselves.
Increasingly, online programs are offering a few live-streamed lectures or discussions
where students can interact with classmates and guest speakers.
“These types of hybrid sessions represent networking opportunities that introduce students to each other and their professor as well as to professionals in an industry or region,” Pharr said. “Don’t fail to consider these courses because they seem too scheduled or demanding. They represent an invaluable way to begin building a professional network for students in an online graduate program.”
Group projects are also a golden opportunity for networking. Some courses direct the students to solve problems or develop projects for real-world clients. During these courses, you not only get the chance to better know your classmates but also the industry professionals to whom you’ve been assigned.
“These kinds of contacts can be invaluable when building a professional network,” Pharr said. “Graduate students should look for programs known for their experiential learning opportunities or seek out classes where industry projects are a course requirement.”
Utilize “Office Hours”
Many professors who teach online graduate programs keep specific virtual office hours when they are online and accessible to their students. Pharr encourages students to take advantage of this time to get to know their professors. These conversations can lead to valuable advice, job leads or research opportunities down the road.
Also, more and more online classes today are incorporating features such as a Teams channel where all of the students who are enrolled can communicate.
“Proactive students can host icebreakers or meet-and-greet sessions on the course’s Teams channel, as can the professor. It provides a low-risk way to get to know the other people taking the class or who are in the graduate program,” Pharr said.
Investigate Study Abroad Opportunities
Some courses include the opportunity for short-term travel or even semester-long study abroad. Graduate students who can make time to participate can develop valuable relationships with their fellow travelers.
“Typically, the cohort of students in these types of courses get to know each other and their professor very well and make additional professional contacts abroad,” Pharr said. “These courses have been known to result in lifelong friendships and/or professional affiliations that span industries and may endure throughout one’s career.“
Stay in Touch Post-Graduation
Don’t skip filling out your program’s exit survey when you graduate. This allows the university to contact you about any future opportunities for networking, professional opportunities, research collaborations and other special events that may grow your professional network.
The key to networking when not taking in-person classes is to recognize and maximize every opportunity while in graduate school, both formal and informal. Doing so can pay dividends for your career success and options after you graduate.
Pharr added, “The professors and fellow students you met in your graduate program should become an enduring part of your professional network and add value to your graduate degree long after you’ve completed the degree.”
