Making Waves in the States: Essential Tips for European Students Interning in the USA
Making Waves in the States: Essential Tips for European Students Interning in the USA Are you ready to embark on an internship adventure that will
Networking consists of building or maintaining a network of ties over time to encourage professional exchanges of knowledge, skills, services, and even interests. And it is very important also for students. These connections are meant to benefit both parties. And so, generosity, interest, and listening are key. Of course, you can do it both physically and online in today’s world. Finding an internship, a work-study program, a job, developing a firm or business, hiring new staff, finding new clients, and more are all situations where networking is used. However, building a network requires establishing a certain plan and taking on a specific attitude. The only condition for networking to be a useful tool is that you have a plan in place.
What conditions must be met for networking to be successful?
You must already be aware of your assets and have a clear goal in mind. It’s crucial to put a lot of effort into improving oneself first. What do I do well? My deficiencies? My values? Which industries are of interest to me? This makes sense logically: in order to choose the proper road, you must have a clear notion of your ultimate destination. Then knowing your assets also means knowing how your network is currently functioning. You all have one already. In fact, the best place to start when building a professional network is with the friends you already have or the acquaintances you already know. The likelihood that you will expand your network with their personal contacts will then increase with the strength of your connections. By taking the time to jot down all of the names, phone numbers, and emails for these folks, you can now accurately and clearly, not all of them. It must be very clear in your thoughts and in writing (in an Excel table for example).
Then you need to have the right communication tools
These three communication tools—the CV, the LinkedIn profile, and the pitch—must be meticulously prepared. They must be appropriate for your project, professional, and current. Remember that they must complement one another as well. You may promote yourself and set yourself apart from others with these tools. They play a crucial role in your personal branding strategy.
Finally, you must define your target audience and prepare to capture their attention
Visualizing the individuals you want in your network is the next stage after developing your tools to a high level. Because surrounding oneself with the proper people is an important part of networking. So you may begin by returning to the names you entered into your Excel spreadsheet and focusing on those who might be able to assist you in your approach.
Consider the following queries: “Who am I missing in my network?” and “How can I improve my network?” After that, let your objectives direct your actions. Indeed, the people of your network you choose will depend on the specifics of your project. For example, you might want to target a particular industry, business, or even job position. For instance, don’t be afraid to look through professional profiles on Linkedin to learn more about their past and previous employers. You may learn what’s happening in the industry you’re searching for by following groups or firms, and you can even stand out by demonstrating to recruiters your enthusiasm for the industry.
Other resources for information include:
– myjobglasses, a platform that seeks to foster interactions between experts and students.
– Glassdor, for business-related information.
How to proceed face-to-face?
The pitch
Your pitch is a succinct, compelling introduction to your professional goal. It works to draw interest. The length of the pitch will vary based on the situation; the framework will remain the same, but you can add or subtract details as needed. For instance, you can plan on 1–2 minutes for a job interview and no more than 1.5 minutes for an “on-the-spot” meeting.
Things to consider:
Tips about the posture to adopt
Maintaining your network
After the first encounter, ideally within 48 hours, you should begin a follow-up process if you want the people you met to join your network. You should write them an email letting them know how much you liked meeting them and expressing your desire to keep in touch. In fact, networks go down due to carelessness. It is crucial to stay in touch so that the needs of the other person are addressed, regardless of the frequency and type of communication (lunch, exchanging items of interest, sending educational newsletters, etc.). Events throughout the year, such as holidays (but be mindful of other cultures), birthdays, the start of a new school year, summer, etc., can also aid in maintaining a network. Additionally, you can periodically update the people in your network on your progress and highlight how beneficial it has been to interact with them (“thanks to your advice…”). The ability to express gratitude to both the new people who have joined your network and those who have assisted in its growth is very important.
Final tips
Give a good image of yourself
Mistakes to avoid
Keep believing and persevering
In general, persistence and patience are needed. Remember that there are numerous ways to contact someone, secure an internship, and ultimately land a job. You shouldn’t assume that another individual won’t reply to you just because the first person didn’t.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of your professional life might be making connections, so try to unwind and just enjoy forging new connections by letting your talents and objectives direct your efforts.
The best way to develop your skills is to have experience abroad. USA Internships offer several options and we follow you up during all processes. Plus, for more tips, we also have the inspiration blog full of interesting insights. Don’t forget to read our latest blog ‘The importance of critical thinking for students. It only takes one click to change everything
MiM Specialisation in Communication and Media - ESCP Business School
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