Law Students

Networking Advice for Law Students Part I: Don't Waste Your Time Being Miserable - Network Through Something "Interesting"

By jessie

I've already mentioned how important effective networking has been in my own career path. Now I'd like to share some of the tricks I've picked up along the way. First up: putting networking in a compelling context, or what I'm calling "Don't Waste Your Time Being Miserable - Network Through Something Interesting."

By this I mean networking in situations and with people you find interesting, entertaining, or otherwise worthwhile. I don't know about you, but I have to really bring my A game to make much of your basic wine and cheese event. I'm at my best when I have a built in topic of conversation in common with whomever it is I'm trying to shmooz. 

So I tend to avoid the straight mixer-style events. Instead I aim to attend the program-followed-by-reception model of networking opportunity. That way I and my conversation partner have just sat through the same lecture/panel/demonstration/video when we're swaying by the makeshift bar balancing cocktail napkin, cheese plate, and wine glass.

The point is: set yourself up for success. Go somewhere with something to talk about besides yourself. Give yourself an opportunity to connect with someone on a substantive level. 

After the jump: other ideas for ways to make meaningful connections and a preview of the rest of this series. 

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Full post as published by Ms. JD on September 09, 2009 (boomark / email).