As a college student, translating your majors and minors into a successful and impactful career can be overwhelming. But when connected with supportive people, navigating your next steps becomes exciting and even fun. Networking and being part of a mentorship are two ways to build relationships crucial for both personal growth and professional success.
Building a professional network in college
Why networking
Professional networking is the process of not just building but maintaining relationships with people who can provide guidance, share opportunities, and support your career aspirations. These are often experienced professionals who know what works—and what doesn’t—in the job market. They can help you explore career paths, find internships, and even secure jobs after graduation.
“Over half of all job seekers land their jobs by knowing someone at the organization. Getting to know alumni and recruiters in your field gives you direct connections to opportunities that you might not otherwise find. Networking is a shortcut to finding a job.”
—Stan Thompson, Bethel’s director of vocation, pathways, and partnerships
Networking strategies
From alumni events on campus to job fairs in your community, there are many networking opportunities that will help you meet professionals in your areas of interest. Additionally, most academic departments have their own specialized clubs—such as science societies, business organizations, and arts collectives—that can provide hands-on experiences, networking opportunities, and the chance to collaborate with peers who share your interests.
Online networking
Not all networking needs to be done in person. More than 230 million people in the United States use LinkedIn as a tool for career advancement, professional growth, and networking. The online platform hosts both virtual and in-person seminars that can provide tips on everything from job search strategies to leadership development. LinkedIn also hosts local meet-ups, gathering professionals in a specific industry within a particular community. College is a great time to create a LinkedIn profile and gain access to professionals and online learning opportunities. You can also begin to showcase your awards, internships, and achievements to future employers.
The power of mentorship
Mentorship benefits
Mentorship during college can be a transformative experience, with benefits extending far beyond graduation. A mentor can provide:
- academic support, like choosing the right courses and managing your workload
- career guidance—from writing a resume to excelling in interviews
- personal growth, like building self-confidence and making smart, informed decisions
- accountability and encouragement
Mentors come alongside you as you explore your options and make decisions about college and beyond.
Finding a mentor
Often the best place to start your mentor search is your school’s career services. Mentors may be found within your academic department or field, through extracurricular activities, or even your church. In getting to know you, career coaches or counselors can help you identify where to look and may even be able to share specific people to contact.
“Bethel has some established programs that include mentoring experiences like BethelBiz, The 25, and Woven Lives. Additionally, the career coaches in Bethel’s Office of Career Development and Calling can help students explore their networks or reach out to Bethel alumni for mentoring opportunities.”
—Stan Thompson, Bethel’s director of vocation, pathways, and partnerships
Mentorship success
Kailey Soller ’11 is senior strategy, innovation, and business development manager at Beckman Coulter Diagnostics in Chaska, Minnesota. She’s currently working on a project in the neurodegenerative disease space, looking at diagnostics for Alzheimer’s disease, and she recently received Bethel’s 4 Under 40 Alumni Achievement Award. She credits her success in part to the mentoring she received from her Bethel professors. As an undergrad, she only knew she wanted to go into science. Her professors opened up opportunities for research and internships that helped her narrow her focus into a B.A. in chemistry and a B.S. in biochemistry and molecular biology and led to a full-time position right after graduation.
“It was just a very personal kind of one-on-one mentoring and investment in me as I was getting started in my scientific career.”
–Kailey Soller ’11, Bethel alumna and senior strategy, innovation, and business development manager at Beckman Coulter Diagnostics
Leveraging your college community for career success
Whether you’re a PSEO student or graduating soon, your college can come alongside you as you consider and take your next steps towards a purposeful career through networking and mentorship. It’s important for you, however, to be proactive. This means visiting your school’s office of career counseling on a regular basis, staying in touch with your academic advisors and professors, and watching event calendars so you don’t miss important opportunities. Also, by simply engaging in campus life—playing intramural sports, singing in the choir, leading student government, etc.—you’ll glean helpful knowledge from your peers and upper-class friends as they share their own experiences and advice.
“Bethel’s Office of Career Development and Calling exists to help students take their next steps toward landing their first great job after graduation. For some students, this includes exploring their vocation and picking a major. For others, it includes getting help with their resume or having a practice interview with a career coach. We also help students find job shadowing opportunities and internships with the goal of preparing them to launch well.”
—Stan Thompson, Bethel’s director of vocation, pathways, and partnerships
Community engagement
Bethel has hundreds of partnerships with local businesses, agencies, ministries, churches, and organizations. Each of these are opportunities for networking, connecting with people in your areas of interest, interning, and serving in places you’re considering as possible career destinations. Often these partnerships provide you the chance to apply your academic knowledge and live out your faith while also building your professional network and connections.
Start building relationships today! Career coaches in Bethel’s Office of Career Development and Calling are ready to help you discover your interests, values, and strengths and identify the things you can do right now that will lead to a purposeful career in the future! We want you to feel confident and equipped for the path God has called you to take while you’re at Bethel and after you leave. Learn more
