When It Comes to Networking, Use What You Have

Networking isn't solely an exercise in chatting people up at cocktail receptions or academic conferences. Networking can come in many forms; you may have already established networking channels without having realized it. The environment you create for yourself – be they in the classroom, study groups, the workplace, or other extracurricular settings – can provide the potential space to compare notes and explore opportunities. Although it is always important to remain vigilant for new networking prospects, taking a “use what you have” mentality towards networking can help you establish a base, and lead you to realize that networking doesn't have to be an extremely daunting project. Many networks endemic to the basic elements of your educational experience – especially in the classroom – may go unnoticed and unexplored.

Deadlines

Higher education presents a time wherein academic and professional responsibilities are no longer mutually exclusive. Internships, practical experience, classes, conferences, and journals are all relevant to establishing yourself. These discrete components of education and employment may have different benefits for your career, but they all have one thing in common: a time frame. Deadlines are a crucial component of nearly every aspect of academic and professional life. Although deadlines are occasionally flexible, students and professionals negatively impact both themselves and others when they do not submit a paper, hand in a résumé, or RSVP for an important event in a timely manner. A few things to consider when dealing with a deadline: