The Career Center at Santa Clara University - Network Your Way to Success

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Network Your Way to Success

Did you know that up to 80% of jobs are found through connections? Don’t hide behind the internet when researching careers and opportunities! Use both the SCU-specific resources as well as additional networking sites below to start building relationships. Be sure to make a Same Day appointment with Career Center staff to discuss how to appropriately approach networking.

Alumni Shadowing

Are you exploring a profession and wanting to know what it is really like? Do you wonder how your major might relate to the workplace? The Alumni Shadowing Program is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors wanting to shadow an alum in the workplace for a half or full day.
Informational Interviewing

You can learn about careers and industries by talking with people who are already working in those fields. Informational interviewing is a way for you to learn from professionals about an industry or job of interest to you and discover what qualities are needed to succeed in a particular field. Informational interviewing is NOT asking for a job. It is an opportunity to make a professional connection with someone whose interests or background you share.
Professional Associations

Professional Associations provide members within a particular field with professional development opportunities. These may include conferences, regional events, mentorship, job and/or internship postings, and career and graduate school information. Identify a professional association in your field and see how it might assist you.
InCircle

All members of InCircle are Santa Clara alumni who have been invited to join this private online community, making it easy to find alumni in your professional area of interest with whom to conduct informational interviews.

Seniors have access to InCircle by winter quarter. All others may make a Same Day appointmentin the Career Center to identify alumni on InCircle.
LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking and job search tool. Create an online profile similar to your resume and join industry groups to network with professionals. Through your network and "three degrees of separation" you may identify people you know at companies that interest you. Check out our advice on using LinkedIn effectively (PDF)
Volunteer

Develop leadership skills while making a difference. Offer your skills and talents in ways that can benefit others. Get your foot in the door with a particular industry or organization by making connections with people in a field that interests you. Check these sites for local, national, and international volunteer opportunities.