Activities to Upgrade Your Network and Networking Skills

Last week, our team was inspired by NYU and LSE professor Dr. Christian Busch’s article, “How to Create Your Own Career Luck”, to craft our own “hooks” and plant our own “serendipity bombs”. Dr. Busch describes a “hook” as a quick introduction of yourself with memorable or engaging talking points, and defines dropping “serendipity bombs” as connecting to groups of people for potential opportunities. This article will guide you through crafting your own hook and reaching out to different people with the introduction you just made!

Activity 1: Setting Hooks 

Objective:

To find an authentic way to introduce yourself to others in professional or academic settings (e.g. in career fairs, graduate school fairs, etc.) that captures a diverse range of your identities. Also, to help organize these elements of your life for your own reference. 

Description:

In this activity, you will be formulating a “hook” that captures multiple passions, identities, interests, hobbies, etc. of yours in a simple one-sentence introduction. 

Step 1: Write out all the things that come to mind in each of these categories 

Step 2: Pick your top choices from any category and formulate a hook

Here is a template (feel free to make your own):

I am passionate about ________(passion), am in/pursuing the field of _________(vocation), have been thinking about/am interested in ________(interest), and enjoy ______ (hobby). 

Example: “I love connecting people, have been active in the education sector, and recently started thinking about philosophy, but what I really enjoy is playing the piano.”

Activity 2: “Planting Bombs” 

Objective:

To reach out to an alumni, professor, colleague, staff member, etc. to form a new connection and expand your network AND/OR  build more connections and people to support you AND/OR participate in new experiences that would support your mental and physical well-being.

Description:

Now that you have your hook, we can put it to good use! Choose one of the following options below. Feel free to do any additional ones in your own time!

Options 

1. Go to CUeLinks and send a message to an alumni or peer introducing yourself with the hook you just made. Either ask a question or request a phone call for an informational meeting! 
   1. Ideas:
      1. How did you get involved with this industry?
      2. I am interested in ____. Do you know what this looks like in your field?
      3. How do you navigate the job search/application process?
2. Email the admissions committee of a graduate/professional school or the recruitment/HR/representative of a company that you’re interested in, introducing yourself with your statement, and asking a relevant question about the admissions or recruitment process.
   1. Ideas:
      1. What does _____ value in an applicant?
      2. What does the recruitment process look like for this company? 
      3. I am interested in ____. Does your company/school have this department/endeavor/etc?
3. Email a professor, TA, faculty advisor, colleague, or staff member who does not know you yet with the introduction you just made. If you want, tell them that you will attend one or their office hours, would like to schedule a meeting with them, or would like to “virtual coffee chat” with them (if a peer or colleague).
4. Make an appointment or sign up for something new that would be helpful for you (personally, professionally, or academically)

Fun/Self-care Ideas: 

1. Workshops and Events Hosted by Cornell
2. Your favorite artist’s livestream concert 
3. Let’s Meditate (Thursdays from 9AM-9:30AM)
4. CAPS Workshop

Career/Academic-Related Ideas:

1. Learning Strategies Center
2. Career Advising
   1. HumEc Academic Advising
   2. Barnes Hall
   3. CEC