Let’s be honest: we all want internships, jobs, and mentors, but most of us avoid networking because it feels awkward. Reaching out to a stranger can feel transactional, like asking for a favor from someone who owes you nothing. It can also feel intimidating. Why would someone with an established career take time out of their week to talk to a college student they’ve never met?
Here’s the reframe that makes it easier: networking isn’t asking for something. It’s gathering information. You’re talking to people who are doing something you might want to do, and asking how they got there, what their work actually looks like, and what they wish they’d known at your stage. Most people enjoy talking about their own path, and a lot of them remember being exactly where you are now. The opportunities usually come later, as a byproduct of real connections. They are not the point of the first conversation.
This post breaks networking into three parts:
- Where to find people. Your network is already bigger than you think.
- How to reach out. What to actually say in an email, a LinkedIn message, or a phone call.
- What to expect. Response rates, what a conversation looks like, and how to follow up so one chat turns into a lasting relationship.
Where to find people
Start with who you know!
- Professors, family friends, coaches, and upperclassmen in your major, team, or clubs are the easiest people to reach, and they often know more people than you’d expect. You don’t need them to have your dream job; you need them to know someone who does. A simple “Do you know anyone working in X who might be open to a quick chat?” goes a long way, and a warm introduction gets a much better response than a cold message.
Search by school, company, and role together (e.g., Amherst + a company you’re curious about + “analyst”). The alumni tool on Amherst’s LinkedIn page lets you filter by where people work, what they do, and where they live.
Here is a quick example:
- First, navigate over to the school’s page on LinkedIn.
- Once on the page, click on the “Alumni” header.
- From there, you can search keywords like Job titles, Company, Location, Major, etc.
- Once your keywords are added, scroll past the filters box, and it will show all people who match what you searched for!
The goal isn’t to message everyone on the list. It’s to find a handful of people whose path looks interesting to you, so that when you reach out, you have a real reason for writing to them.
Source: https://theintrovertednetworker.substack.com/p/the-ultimate-guide-to-using-linkedin
Alumni Database
- Alumni are often the most willing to help, since you share the same alma mater. Tip: don’t only go after senior executives. Recent grads are easier to reach, remember what it was like to be a student, and can tell you what the first few years actually look like. Here is the link to the alumni database!
Loeb Center Events
- Panels, info sessions, and alumni visits put you in the same room as people who showed up specifically to talk to students. Go, ask a question, and follow up afterward. See what events are happening next!
How to Reach Out
Before you write anything, make sure you’re contacting the right person: someone in the role or department you’re actually curious about, not just whoever’s email you can find. Look at their profile for something you share (school, major, sport, hometown) and use it. Whatever channel you use, the rules are the same: keep it short, be specific about why you picked them, and make the ask small.
Cold Email
- Keep it to a few short paragraphs. Busy people skim, so say who you are, why you’re reaching out, and what you’re asking for.
- Ask for a 15–20 minute conversation, not a job. A small request is easier to say yes to and shows you’re there to learn.
- Proofread. One typo in a three-sentence email stands out.
- Send it mid-morning or early afternoon on a weekday, when people are at their desks and more likely to respond.
- No reply after a week? Send one short, polite follow-up. People are busy and emails get buried; a follow-up usually reads as interest, not pestering.
Example:
Subject: Amherst student interested in your path to [Field]
Hi [Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I’m a [year] studying [major] at Amherst. I found your profile through the alumni network and was interested in how you moved from [their background] into [their current role].
I’m starting to explore [field] and would love to hear about your experience. Would you be open to a 15–20 minute call sometime in the next few weeks? I’m happy to work around your schedule.
Thanks so much for your time,
[Your Name]
[Phone / LinkedIn]
LinkedIn DM
- Make it shorter and more casual than an email: two or three sentences. Connection request notes have a tight character limit, so get to the point.
- Lead with what you have in common: a mutual connection (“Jordan Lee suggested I reach out”), Amherst, or a recent post of theirs (“I liked your post about…”).
- Make it a small ask: a quick chat, or whether they’d be open to answering a few questions.
Example:
Hi [Name], I’m an Amherst junior interested in [field] and saw you made the jump from [X] to [Y]. Would you be open to a quick 15-minute call sometime? I’d love to hear how you got there.
Cold Call
- This is less common, but it works well for smaller firms, local businesses, or after an email goes unanswered.
- Call mid-morning or early afternoon, not first thing or at the end of the day.
- Have a short script ready: who you are, why you’re calling, and your ask, all in about 20 seconds. For example: “Hi, my name is ___, I’m a student at Amherst interested in ___. I was hoping to set up a short call to learn about your work. Is there a better time to talk, or is email easier?”
- If they’re busy, ask for a better time or their email. That’s still a win.
What to Expect
Response Rates Are Low, and That’s Normal
- Most people you reach out to won’t reply. A rough rule of thumb: if 1 in 4 people get back to you, you’re doing well. Warm introductions and alumni tend to respond more; cold messages to senior executives, less.
- Silence usually means busy, not uninterested. People miss emails, mean to reply later, and forget. It’s not a verdict on you.
- That’s why you reach out to several people at once instead of waiting on one.
What an Informational Interview Actually Looks Like
- It’s usually 20–30 minutes, and you drive it. You asked for the time, so come with questions ready.
- It’s not a job interview. No one is evaluating you for a position; you’re there to learn. That said, you are making a first impression, and people remember students who were prepared and curious.
- Virtual: Test your link and camera beforehand, find a quiet spot with decent lighting, and join a minute or two early.
- Watch the clock. If you asked for 20 minutes, start wrapping up at 20. If they want to keep going, they’ll tell you.
Questions to Ask
- Career path: How did you end up in this role? What would you do differently?
- Day-to-day: What does a typical week look like? What’s the best and hardest part of the job?
- Industry: What’s changing in your field right now? What skills are becoming more important?
- Advice: What would you tell a student trying to break into this field? Is there anyone else you think I should talk to?
That last question is the most valuable one you can ask. One good conversation often leads to two more. Also, if you search the internet for “Informational Interview Questions,” you will find a plethora of questions and templates.
What NOT to Do
- Don’t open with “Can you get me a job?” It puts the person on the spot and turns a conversation into a transaction. If there’s an opening, it’ll come up naturally, or you can ask later in the relationship.
- Don’t mass-email the whole directory. Copy-pasted messages are easy to spot. Five thoughtful, personalized emails will get you further than fifty generic ones.
- Don’t show up unprepared. Look at their profile beforehand. Asking questions you could’ve answered with a two-minute LinkedIn search wastes their time.
- Don’t let it run long or forget to say thank you.
The Follow-Up
- Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours. Mention one specific thing they said that stuck with you, which shows you were actually listening.
- If they suggested someone else to talk to, reach out to that person and let your original contact know you did.
- Stay in touch. Every few months, send a quick update: “I took that class you recommended,” or “I just landed a summer internship in ___, thanks again for the advice.” Sharing an article related to something you discussed works too.
- This is how a one-time chat turns into a real relationship. People like seeing that their advice mattered, and they remember the students who came back.
Handling Silence and Rejection
- If someone doesn’t reply after one follow-up, let it go and move on to the next person on your list.
- If someone says they’re too busy, thank them anyway. You never know when your paths will cross again.
- Keep your list going. Networking is a numbers game at the start and a relationship game after that.
