The Importance of Networking for High School Students

Most high school students assume that hard work and good grades are the be-all and end-all when it comes to finding a job one day. The truth is that they believe this because it is what the school system has been erroneously teaching them, and their parents, for the past 50 years. Good grades and hard work are indeed essential, and without them, you will not get very far professionally. Yet, on their own, these two factors do not have the power to open up a challenging and innovative career path. Just like with most things in life, two heads are better than one, and being able to network from a young age is vital for success.

Many students believe that networking is something you only need to do once you finish college, or when you start looking for a job. Although networking is something you will probably be doing for the rest of your professional life, the younger you start, the easier and more productive networking gets. In this professionally competitive and demanding age, high school students not only need to learn how to network but should be actively networking for their future.

 

So, What Exactly Is Networking?

In a professional setting, networking’s definition is:

“The action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.”

Networking may seem daunting to high school students, with thoughts of meetings and suits in a stiff professional setting arising. The truth is, though, that times have changed so dramatically that the best networking often takes place in an informal social setting. The casual and relaxed atmosphere promotes honesty and straightforward communication and, more often than not, results in a new friendship.

Undoubtedly, on some level during their career, students will have more formal opportunities for connecting with peers or leaders, but at high school age, networking will rely heavily on the exchange of information and ideas, mostly on an informal level. Therefore, to redefine networking for those young, eager, energetic, and intelligent high school students, I would say that networking is:

“The desire and ability to learn something new and to share your thoughts through interacting with people you may not necessarily know already.”

The Benefits of Networking in High School

Indeed, the earlier a student starts, the more connections they will have by the time they graduate from college or start looking for a job. More importantly, the bonds they form at the high school level will shape their professional ideas and dreams. Speaking with other likeminded individuals has the power to transform thought and can open up entirely new professional avenues for young students— especially if they connect and interact with someone who is more experienced in their specific field of interest.

In this way, networking can:

• Shape, renew and transform a student’s career ideology
• Ease the process of college applications, including where to apply and what subjects to focus on
• Ease the process of searching for a job, including help on where to start looking and what to expect
• Open up career opportunities once students finish college; and
• Open up funding opportunities for college or extended studies.

What Should Schools and Organizations Be Doing?

If students need to start networking at the high school level, then educational organizations and schools should be doing these three important things:

1. Educating students on the necessity of networking
2. Teaching them how to network effectively
3. Creating opportunities for students to network with professionals

Although networking does come naturally for some, this is not the case for all people, especially not in a high school setting where peer pressure, popularity, and cliques often create social boundaries. Shy or introverted students will not naturally be inclined to mingle with people outside of their comfort zone, so it should be promoted and facilitated by educational institutions.

Introverted students can learn to network very effectively by merely applying a few useful tips to their networking strategy. When they realize that networking is all about talking about what you are passionate about, communicating becomes a whole lot easier. Getting this process started in a friendly, judgment-free environment is vital while starting with networking skills in smaller groups will also facilitate shyer students opening up more quickly.

Networking Tips for Students

The tips and tricks discussed below are easy for students to apply and learn daily, and can quickly be promoted at school or career events and opportunities.

1. 1. Expand their social circle Increasing a student’s social circle is relatively simple and can be applied daily. Students should be encouraged to move out of their comfort zone, slowly if necessary. This change can be as simple as trying to sit at a different lunch table now and then or striking up a conversation with a fellow student taking the same classes. Joining a new sports team or extramural activity is an excellent way of making new contacts. If the activity is a passion of theirs, such as an art class or a book club, and they enjoy the endeavor, it will be so much easier for the student to start up a conversation. The secret is to be open to new possibilities and to be friendly.
   2. Get a part-time job or internship. Having a job or internship serves a dual purpose, as a part-time job will count as work experience on the student’s resume and will also promote networking opportunities. Although any job will serve as experience, it would be more beneficial to get a job or internship in an area related to the student’s career of choice. If a job is not available in their specific area, a volunteer position or an internship will serve as great alternatives. The connections they make here will be beneficial for applying to college and finding a future job. Students should be taught to leave a job or internship on good terms to keep connections open. They should also maintain contact with their colleagues and supervisors to retain that connection for future use. Online platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram are great ways to keep in touch. (More on this later.)
   3. Use parents and teachers as resources. Parents and teachers have years of networking and professional experience that they can share with students. Students should talk to parents about their networking tips and possible contacts that may lead to valuable advice. They should schedule meetings with their favorite teachers and speak to them about their career and their networking experience. The main thing is to ask questions and take notes. When interacting with a more experienced individual, students should assume a humble but inquisitive attitude. Arrogance does not promote open communication and will hamper the networking process.
   4. Use fellow students as a resource Students will be astounded to find out how resourceful their peers can be when put to the task. Students can be asked to form impromptu groups to discuss and share career advice or college application advice that they have received. These discussion groups can be based on interests such as science, technology or arts, or can even be mixed to promote lateral thinking. Students exploring the same fields of interest should keep contact through the years as this connection can open up job opportunities in the future.
   5. Create an online professional profile We are living in a digital age, and even though there is no substitute for face-to-face communication, students should be motivated to make connections online as well.
      • The most important professional online community can probably be found on LinkedIn, and students should be inspired to create a LinkedIn account in high school. Initially, these accounts are free but can be upgraded to a more professional version later, if desired. The advantage of LinkedIn is that it serves as a networking and job-hunting base and can be updated and edited as the student attains additional qualifications. It serves as a current and relevant source of information from around the world in almost any field imaginable. By following several experts in their field, students can also keep up to date with the newest developments and trends.
      • b. Twitter and Instagram are two social media sites that are not new to students. These sites can be utilized to create an online following and awareness within their fields of interest. Instagram is a fantastic platform for budding photographers or photojournalists. Similarly, tweeting about market trends or an exciting newspaper article can set the stage for more professional connections on Twitter. If necessary, students can create alternate accounts on each of these sites to separate their personal and professional posts.

      To conclude, I would just like to reiterate how vital these networking skills are for youth. It will teach them skills they will use for the rest of their professional and personal lives. In the future, it will mean the difference between getting a dream job or no job at all.