05 Networking Tips when Studying Abroad
For international students, networking skills are indispensable as they help you gain new knowledge, introduce you to new perspectives of life, and importantly, provide opportunities for employment and career advancement from the people you meet. However, networking during your study journey in a foreign country is never easy. The following article will assist you with some useful tips for building a perfect network:
How to build a network while studying in Australia? What factors influence networking?
Leaving your family and friends to move to a new country might be challenging, but it is also an opportunity for you to try new things, meet new people, and create wonderful experiences. Networking is formed from the places you visit and the people you meet. Here are some activities that SET EDUCATION highly recommends you try to network for yourself:
Networking Tips #01: Join your school’s clubs
This is one of the easiest ways for you to socialise with classmates, colleagues, or people with similar interests. You can search for clubs on the school’s website or ask student representatives directly.
Joining school clubs
Networking Tips #02: Participate in industry-related competitions:
You can find competitions on your study major’s websites, scientific journals, non-governmental organisations, or businesses to challenge yourself and find new opportunities with companions and advisors. You are guaranteed to gain new knowledge, experiences, and valuable relationships.
Networking Tips #03: Expand your connection on social media platforms within your study field:
This is another convenient method to access and keep up with the latest activities, information, and trends in your industry. You can use social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with professionals in your field, especially those who have industrial experiences and achievements.
Expand your connection on social media platforms within your study field:
Networking Tips #04: Participate in industry/networking events:
In Australia, information is often transparent and open to everyone. Therefore, the government and universities often organise events for the public. If you don’t know where to start, attend all events, then choose the topics you’re interested in and focus on attending events related to those topics. Participating in events is the easiest way to expand networking without requiring interviews, internships, or specific skills. You can easily find many interesting events on Meetup, Eventbrite, LinkedIn, etc.
Joining events
Networking Tips #05: Join volunteer groups, or organisations related to your interests:
When you participate in volunteer activities, besides bringing joy and assistance to people around you in difficult circumstances, you will also gain deep connections from people you have the opportunity to meet in the community.
You can see that there are many ways to build a network for yourself. However, to successfully networking is not easy if you are not prepared in advance.
So what are the factors influencing your networking success rate?
- English: Language is what helps us convey our thoughts to others and understand them. So try to practice your English on all topics, from East to West, from ancient times to modern times, from astronomy to geography. Many people, although they get a job, cannot integrate with their colleagues because they lack the language skills or knowledge to integrate their stories. So if you don’t speak English well, you won’t be able to show others the “substance in your heart”.
- Personal interests, personality, and ideals: These are the three main factors that construct successful networking, as well as the factors you can rely on to find your partner. People in the same direction tend to go together.
- Small talk, 1-minute pitch: These are the two things you must always keep in mind when intending to network in a bustling life like in Australia where time is extremely scarce. At the same time, employers tend to choose those who match their “vibe” in a short conversation. So if you can make a good impression in a short time, it’s a huge advantage over many other candidates.
Small talk, 1-minute pitch
Additionally, you can also build your network by joining the SETIES-ZEN Community, a community of international students from SET EDUCATION.
If you dream of studying abroad and settling in Australia, don’t hesitate to inbox SET Education directly via chatbox or contact the hotline 0403 518 718 for free consultation and assistance in choosing the most suitable study and migration route for your goals and desires!
