When it comes to transitioning from student life to career life, the knowledge and skills you learn in school are important, which is why Centennial College’s education makes sure you get some hands-on experience. But what you know is only half of the key to success. Who you know is the other half, and that’s what networking is: Making career-related connections with people in the field you want to be in. We make room for that, too, at Centennial. To start with there’s your classmates and professors, and outside of that, the industry experts you can meet if you’re doing a co-op program, apprenticeship or field placement. Another way we do so is through Ten Thousand Coffees, a networking platform that effectively connects students and graduates with industry professionals.
Networking can feel a bit more challenging if you’re an international student new to Canada, but plenty of international alumni have successfully networked their way into a career, which is why Ten Thousand Coffees hosted a special event in March, inviting international alumni who’ve found career success through networking to share their advice with students.
The alumni were:
Kshitij Maheshwari, Associate Project Manager at Traction on Demand, graduate of our Project Management program.
Santiago Vasquez Espinosa, Marketing Manager of Growth and Retention at Take Some Risk, graduate of our Marketing Research and Analytics program.
Lauren Soutar, Events and Engagement Facilitator at Mount Royal University, graduate of our Special Event Planning program.
Marcio Mota, Information Security Analyst at CIBC, graduate of our Cybersecurity program.
Hardeep Singh, Interior and Architectural Design Drafter at Emerald Builders, graduate of our Architecture Technology program.
Nicola Di Pietro, IT Network Technician at Magic Bullet Solutions, graduate of our Food Science Technology program.
Robie Jea Meneses, Environmental Services Supervisor at Kensington Gardens, graduate of our Healthcare Environmental Services Management program.
Here’s what they had to say about networking your way into success:
Making use of networking connections is a better way to job hunt, and helps you get the job.
“Connection is really important to finding a job that fits your goals and personality. I first tried applying to jobs directly, but realized that referrals were more effective.”
- Robie
“When you prepare for [job] interviews, you’ll feel more confident and perform better. Recruiters care more about how confident you sound when you say something, instead of technicalities.”
- Nicola
Your professors are a good starting point for your network.
“I focused on building rapport and a strong relationship with professors and faculty members, since they could share advice and recommendations. I also took advantage of the provided field placement opportunities, which helped me gain relevant experience.”
- Robie
“I also relied on professors to connect with industry professionals. I focused my energy on being an active student, and gained my professor’s trust. Most of my job opportunities have come from networking and referrals. It is crucial to get advice from your instructors, and always demonstrate curiosity.”
- Nicola
Getting a job on campus, becoming a tutor, or simply volunteering are also good ways to network.
“I needed a source of income in addition to an opportunity to gain relevant experience, which is why I looked for employment options on campus. I got to work as a Resident Assistant, which allowed me to connect and build relationships with people on campus, in addition to using all the available services and resources at the campus. It is important to take advantage of the services that exist for you, and to look for ways to connect with faculty and staff members.”
- Lauren
“I worked as a Cybersecurity tutor at Centennial because of my background…The experience of tutoring is deeply valuable, because it allows you to learn more about your field, while sharing that knowledge with others.”
- Marcio
“During my time at Centennial, I participated in many activities on campus. In the second semester, I started working as a math tutor and was also elected as campus director for CCSAI. In my last semester, I got hired as a student researcher and was elected Volunteer of the Year. Being so active created great networking opportunities to connect with professors, staff members and other students. I actually secured my first job opportunity by a referral from a peer that I previously tutored.”
- Hardeep
Start as soon as you can!
“Do your due diligence, look for jobs that interest you and put in the work to prepare yourself and meet the skills required. Also start early, don’t wait until graduation.”
- Kshitij
“Start applying for jobs one month before graduation. You have to go through a lot of phone calls and interviews before you get an offer.”
- Santiago
“I wish I had started networking earlier. Networking is not an easy task, but there are people willing to help you, even if some others won’t be as courteous. You need to persevere despite of that.”
- Marcio
“I wish I knew I had to start building my professional network as soon as I arrived in Canada. Reach out to professionals earlier.”
- Lauren
As for how to start early, that’s where Ten Thousand Coffees can help. Centennial College’s branch of the service puts on more events like this throughout the year, which provide you with networking opportunities, but you can also sign up for the online hub, to be connected to fellow Centennial students, alumni, faculty and staff looking to network, and ask and answer questions, perfect for helping you make the necessary connections to get your career moving.
To learn more about Ten Thousand Coffees, click here.
Written By: Anthony Geremia