Thank you for taking the time to meet Kenyon students! While networking events are common in the professional world, many students are new to the mix-and-mingle networking setting. Students will make mistakes as they learn the ropes of a particular field, but they are eager to learn and receive feedback along the way. Your encouraging counsel is invaluable as they learn what is meant by professional readiness. Below are some tips that might be helpful as you engage with students in this process.
Some students have had a number of internships, while others may have no prior professional experience. Given this wide range of experience, don’t expect that students have the same understanding as you about what is professionally appropriate. Try not to make assumptions and be specific when giving career or networking advice.
Students have spent over a decade in school, where their own interests and ideas are front and center. Transitioning from being a student to a professional takes practice. Help students see that they will benefit from adjusting the focus of a conversation with a potential employer from what they might gain from the experience to what they can contribute.
Students may ask for your card in order to follow up with you at a later time.
The new Kenyon Career Network, a Kenyon-only networking platform, is now active. Join the KCN at www.kenyon.wisr.io before the event so students can connect with you afterwards.
After inquiring about their interests, background and goals, here are some talking points that may generate meaningful conversations.