Expand Your Network/Find a Mentor

Identify your goals. Before reaching out to professionals, understand what you hope to learn from them. Determining what you hope to gain from the networking opportunity will allow you to maximize the connection while being respectful of everyone’s time.

Leverage your connections. Start with people you already know: your classmates, professors, colleagues, supervisors, family, and community members. Brainstorm people in your existing network who can introduce you to professionals working in your areas of interest. Keep an ongoing list of the names and contact information of the people in your network.

Utilize online platforms. Use professional networking sites, such as LinkedIn and the Bulldog Network, to connect with industry professionals. Research and join online forums and professional groups related to your field of interest. When engaging in communication through virtual networking or email, craft messages that are respectful, direct, and concise.

Research networking events. Mississippi State University and the MSU Career Center offer a multitude of events and workshops that provide networking opportunities. Ask faculty within your degree program about major-specific and regional conferences.

Seek mentorship. Participate in Mississippi State University’s formal mentorship program, the Bulldog Mentor Program, offered through the MSU Career Center and MSU Alumni Association and designed to connect students with alumni and industry professionals. Search for industry-specific mentorship opportunities through student and professional organizations. Seek professionals with skills and experiences that you admire and career paths that align with your goals.

Be yourself. Share your interests, relevant experiences, and career goals. Demonstrate genuine interest in others and their work.

Develop your elevator pitch. Develop a brief, compelling summary of who you are, what you do, and what your goals are. Practice your pitch until it feels natural and confident.

Be prepared. Develop a list of questions and conversation topics you would like to explore with the contact.

Welcome feedback. Be willing to learn and adapt based on the advice you receive through professional networking.

Practice professional etiquette. Implementing professional etiquette while networking helps you make a memorable and positive first impression.

• Email etiquette:
  • When emailing, use a professional email address.
  • Avoid casual language, abbreviations, all caps, or emojis.
  • Write in complete sentences in an easy-to-read font.
  • Be sure to spell-check and proofread your messages before sending.

• Phone etiquette.
  • Record a professional voicemail message on your phone. Example: Hello, you have reached __________. I am unavailable at the moment. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I will return your call at my earliest convenience. Thank you.
  • Hold phone conversations in a quiet environment.

• In-person etiquette:
  • Introduce yourself with your first and last name.
  • Silence your phone. Do not answer your phone or text during professional interactions.
  • Demonstrate active listening and be aware of your body language.

• Virtual etiquette:
  • Conduct virtual calls in quiet and calm settings.
  • Choose a location with a neutral background.
  • Download the virtual platform to be utilized prior to your call.
  • Test your Wi-Fi for a strong connection.

• Additional networking etiquette tips:
  • While it’s not appropriate to ask professional contacts for internship or jobs outright, it is appropriate to inform contacts that you are looking for work, that you are interested in their company or organization, and that you would like to learn more about working at their place of employment.

• Express gratitude. Always demonstrate appreciation for the time and insights shared by networking contacts. Send a thank-you note or email after meeting a new professional connection.

• Offer resources. Share articles, resources, or opportunities that might interest your connections. Be willing to help others, as networking is a mutually beneficial experience!

• Stay in touch. Engage in communication periodically to maintain relationships.

Do your research. Identify the industry professional you would like to interview. Prior to requesting the informational interview, learn about their company or organization and determine what you would like to learn from them.

Create and send an informational interview request. Conduct an initial outreach to request the interview.

• Craft a clear subject line.
• Utilize a formal greeting and address the person directly.
• Briefly introduce yourself, including your name, major, campus involvement, and career interests.
• Explain how you located the contact’s information, why you are reaching out to them, and what you hope to learn from the connection.
• Request to connect for a 20–30-minute phone or video call.
• Provide your contact information (email address, phone number).
• Thank them in advance for their time.
• Include a professional sign-off with your full name.

Sample Informational Interview Request

Subject: Mississippi State University Student Seeks Career Advice

Dear Dr. Smith:

Greetings from Mississippi State University! My name is [Your Name], and I am a [your major] major. I plan to graduate in [anticipated graduation year], and I am involved in [campus activities] on campus. Following the completion of my degree, I hope to [list career goals].

I came across your information through [how you found them; LinkedIn, the Bulldog Network, mutual connections, etc.], and I was very impressed by [their work that you admire]. If you have availability within the next two weeks, I would love to connect over a 20-30 minute phone or video call to learn more about your professional experiences and [include any other specific topics you would like to discuss on the call].

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Provide scheduling details. Once the professional contact accepts your request for the informational interview, provide a follow-up email confirming the date and time of the interview as well as how you will connect with the individual at the scheduled time. Be sure to share necessary phone numbers or video call links. Add the information to your personal calendar.

Prepare for the interview. Make a list of open-ended questions to ask during the interview. For virtual meetings, join the session ten minutes before the scheduled time. Dress professionally. Bring a notebook and pen.

Sample Questions for an Informational Interview

• How did you become involved in this career field?
• How does your college major or degree program relate to your current career?
• What levels of education and professional experience are required for this type of position?
• What skills or qualities do you believe are necessary for success in this field?
• What academic experiences and out-of-the-classroom activities provide a solid foundation for this job?
• Are there any professional organizations or resources that you recommend I explore?
• How do you spend a typical workday or work week?
• What responsibilities are included in your job description?
• How do you collaborate as a part of a team within your role?
• What is the employment outlook for this field?
• How do you see jobs within this industry changing over the next five to ten years?
• What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects about your job?
• What advice do you have for someone who is interested in entering into this field?
• If you were hiring for an entry level position in this field, how would you describe the ideal candidate?
• Can you recommend another professional contact with whom I should speak?

Conduct the interview. Briefly introduce yourself (30-second introduction) and thank the individual for taking the time to meet with you. Be aware of the time allotted for the call, and lead the conversation using your question list. A 20-30 minute interview will typically include 5-7 questions. Take notes during the interview.

Follow-up after the interview. Promptly send a thank you note or email following the informational interview (within 48 hours). Include what insights you gained from the networking opportunity. Save the individual’s contact information for future reference, and request to connect with them via LinkedIn. You can stay connected with informational interview contacts by informing them of career milestones, such as your first job following the completion of your degree, and sharing articles relevant to their work or your conversation.

Connecting with your fellow students and peers is an excellent way to enhance your network. Through classroom engagement, project collaboration, and participation in student organizations and campus activities, you can build a robust network within the MSU community. These connections can lead to lasting relationships and opportunities to learn from others’ experiences.

Check out Cowbell Connect and Student Leadership Opportunities for more information on student organizations and events at Mississippi State University.

MSU faculty and staff are here to support you in reaching your academic goals as you prepare for your future career. Get to know your professors, advisors, and MSU staff. Inform them of your professional goals, and ask them for advice! Stay connected through class attendance and participation, email communication, professors’ office hours, meetings with your academic and career advisors, and other campus engagement opportunities.

Students are able to connect with faculty and staff in over 175 degree programs and through a wealth of campus resources and organizations.

MSU alumni are an invaluable resource for connecting your student experience to the career world. By networking with alumni, you can gain industry insights and career advice while learning from their experiences and tips for success. Consider networking with alumni with different levels of career experience. For example, recent graduates can share information on how they landed internships or their first job in the current job market. Alumni who serve in managerial or executive roles can offer advice from a hiring perspective while providing insights into industry trends.

Interested in connecting with MSU alumni? The Bulldog Network serves as an online networking and community-building platform, exclusive to Mississippi State University students and alumni. Sign up to browse alumni profiles, request informational interviews, or participate in mentorship programs!

Each fall and spring semester, the Bulldog Mentor Program connects student mentees with dedicated alumni mentors for individualized mentorship experiences via the Bulldog Network, a professional networking platform exclusive to Mississippi State University. The Bulldog Mentor Program fosters meaningful connections and relationships within the MSU community while equipping students with the tools and confidence to fully unleash their potential. Throughout the program, students gain insights that go far beyond the classroom while receiving valuable career advice, learning about industries, exploring potential career paths, and expanding their collegiate and professional networks.