High School Professional Networking Tips

Professional networking? In high school? Isn’t that something I have to worry about once I actually start my career?

On the contrary, it’s never too early to start building connections and relationships that could help you achieve your professional and personal goals in the future. Networking isn’t just about finding a job — it’s about building a community of people with different interests and skill sets.

Having a diverse network can open up numerous opportunities in the future, whether that’s related to getting a job or internship, getting professional advice, or collaborations with like-minded individuals.

Here are a few tips to help you get a head start on building the connections that could have a huge impact on you in the future!

Get to Know Yourself

Before you start building your network, it’s important to understand your personal and professional goals. What fields are you interested in? What hobbies do you like to share with people?

Think about the types of people and organizations that can help you achieve those goals. It’s helpful to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and how you might work with them in the future.

Keep an eye out for organizations that work in a field you’re interested in and see if they offer any internships or learning opportunities that could help you build your career. Ask questions of peers that have similar skill sets and the kind of work they’re interested in pursuing.

High school is a great time to explore anything you’re interested in and see how you can leverage those interests in the future!

Leverage the Reach on Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for building your network. LinkedIn, for example, is a platform specifically designed for professionals to network online and build their connections.

Create a professional online presence by building a complete profile, sharing your accomplishments, and connecting with people in your industry.

Don’t be afraid to build a presence on Twitter and Instagram. It’s a great place to stay up-to-date with industry news, connect more casually with other professionals, and share some of the things that make you more interesting and stand out from others in the workforce!

Attend Networking Events and Conferences

Attending events and conferences is an excellent way to meet new people and expand your network.

Look for events and conferences that align with your professional goals, or even just your hobbies and interests. Every event is an opportunity to meet someone new and connect over a shared interest, even if it’s not work related.

When you attend these events, be sure to introduce yourself to new people and follow up with them after the event.

Reach Out to Professionals

Don’t be afraid to reach out to professionals in the career paths you’re interested in, whether they’re people you admire or whose work otherwise inspires you.

Try to reach out over email or even on social media if they have an active presence. Ask them if you can connect, share what you’re hoping to get from a conversation with them, and just be upfront and honest.

Build a Network During College

Whether you go to a university, trade school, or community college, you have a great opportunity to meet diverse groups of people with a myriad of interests.

Get to know your professors and peers, and try to get involved with clubs and other student-led organizations that might align with your potential career or other interests.

If your campus has resources like career centers and alumni networks, take advantage of the workshops and other resources they might offer!

Keep In Touch!

Once you’ve made a connection with someone, be sure to follow up and stay in touch.

It helps to keep track of your contacts and set reminders to follow up with them periodically, whether it’s about a project you might have discussed with them previously, or just to see how their career is shaping up.

You can also provide value to your network by sharing any information you come across that you think might be helpful to both their personal and career goals, as well as by making introductions to other people whose interests and goals align with theirs.

Building a professional network is an important part of your career journey, no matter where you are in the process. It’s best to start the process early, put yourself out there, and meet new people with an open mind and attitude!