A good place to start is with people in your networks that you already know, such as family, friends, tutors, lecturers and colleagues or supervisors from current or past jobs or internships. QUT also has a number of resources to help you, such as workshops and online career development modules available through Careers and Employment, and faculty and student club events. QUT Careers Fairs and Employer Presentations also give you the chance to talk to potential employers.

When networking, it's important to remember that you have valuable contributions to make to the relationship you're building. You may be networking with someone more experienced than you, but you may be able to offer skills, knowledge of new technologies and trends, or even simply enthusiasm and willingness to learn. By approaching a networking relationship from the perspective of 'how can I be helpful?' rather than 'what can I get?' you can not only help others and have a more rewarding experience yourself, but also begin to build a positive reputation in your field.

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Bound. This means that when you set a goal, you set an attainable goal, that is relevant to your overall aims, has a deadline, and is detailed enough that you can easily tell when it's complete.

For example, rather than having a goal of ‘I will network with people’, you could set goals like the examples below:

You can help manage your nerves by relaxation techniques and breathing exercises, and by choosing networking strategies that work to your strengths (for example, if you’re nervous about the idea of large networking events, you can choose to focus on networking online or on a one-on-one basis. You can also start with small networking events and move to larger ones as you become more comfortable). Stepping outside your comfort zone is a good thing to do, but remember that you can take small manageable steps - you don't have to leap into something that makes you uncomfortable straight away! Setting clear, manageable goals for yourself can also help, and QUT offers personal counselling and support if you would like some help with nerves or worry.

Just remember: Keep it professional! Just like in a job interview, you want to put your best foot forward. This may mean having your professional blog and your personal blog separate, checking your facebook privacy settings and being strategic about who to re-tweet. 

Some examples:

You may be able to find a mentor in someone who you already know. Senior colleagues where you work or volunteer can be helpful in providing feedback and advice to help you in your career. You can find some tips on finding a mentor here and here.

Once you finish your time at an organisation, it’s worth keeping in touch with your contacts – let them know how you’re doing, and what opportunities you’re looking for. You may find that they can act as referees, connect you with others, or let you know of opportunities for work or placements that you wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

If a contact were to google you, what would they find?

Are you using a professional email address? Your student email or an email address with your name/initials gives a much better impression than that email address you created when you were 12 and thought lolcats were the Best. Thing. Ever.

Is your LinkedIn profile up to date? Are you using a professional photo?

If you’re going to meet a contact in person or attending an event, do you have appropriate clothing?

How is your handshake? A firm grip is good, a crushing grip or a limp grip is not so great. Practicing with a friend can help your handshake technique

If you are given someone else’s business card, you can jot down notes on the back to remind you a bit about them, and what you discussed, and if have any follow up you need to do, such as emailing them to set up a meeting or share a resource.