Though nobody seems to know its origins, it’s a phrase that’s been used by business people for well over a century and for good reason. Networking with people from the same professional field not only helps you stay ahead of the latest industry news, developments and skills gaps, but also provides an opportunity to meet the prospective partners, suppliers, employers and clients that will lead to a long and successful career.
Cambridge Education Group (CEG) has been delivering the highest quality courses online to thousands of students across the globe for over 60 years. Our digital team has built on their experience of delivering online courses with UK universities, and harnessed their digital-learning expertise to create a set of career-focused degrees in Business and Management.
When you log on and learn with us, you’re tapping into a network of students of all ages and backgrounds from countries all over the world – each with their own experience and, more importantly, their own network of contacts. Now, as part of CEG’s latest digital initiative, we will be offering part-time, online undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes validated by London South Bank University (LSBU). What this means for you is that, after you graduate, you’ll join the University’s alumni association and have access to its 80,000 members.
If you’re used to thinking that networking has to be done in person – handing out your business cards at a launch event, conference or client celebration – think again. While it is true that networking is all about communication and to some extent is more personal face-to-face, modern technology has made it is easier than ever to network with multiple people at any one time. It’s also much more convenient – on a Teams meeting, Zoom call, through social media, email or a simple telephone call.
As an undergraduate or postgraduate student, not long out of school or returning to education later in life, the prospect of talking to new people – strangers – can be daunting; even more so if English is not your first language. The best way to improve your networking skills is to just give it a try and keep practising.
Try to remember that you’ll be studying alongside international students who are most likely in a similar situation to you – and probably just as nervous. Nobody becomes an instant networking expert. Everyone starts somewhere and practising your networking in an educational setting is often a little less formal and lets you develop skills in preparation for the workplace.
On our courses, you’ll be invited to attend regular online events, including live webinars and chat forums, giving you the opportunity to interact with lecturers, course and student advisers, our careers team, fellow students and sometimes graduates too. As part of your learning experience, there will be times when you work together with other students on group activities and projects. This helps you develop essential transferrable skills, individual and group responsibility, respect, commitment, and self-assessment. You can also share your experiences and passion for your subject, getting to know and supporting each other, making new contacts and lifelong friends.
The first of our new courses validated by LSBU – a BA (Hons) in Global Business Management and MSc in Project Management* – are open for applications now. You’ll benefit from the convenience of learning anywhere, anytime, whenever it suits you, confident you’ll be studying a course designed to boost your career prospects – awarded by a university that is ranked ‘top 5’ in the UK for graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2021).
Make a note with details about the people you interact with regularly –personal circumstances, career goals, likes and dislikes. You can personalise your conversations.
If you’re invited to join a team for group work, be the first to send your team mates a friendly ‘hello and welcome’, introducing yourself and telling them what you’re looking forward to about the task.
One of the best places to build your network is LinkedIn, which was designed with online networking in mind. Consider attending some of the online events and conferences it hosts or join relevant discussion groups.
Respond to people who reach out to you. Relationships work two ways. People will be less inclined to become part of your network if you ask questions, seek out support and advice, but never return the favour.