How to Make Professional Friends
80% of jobs or internships are found by making connections with professionals and alumni. The more professional friends you have in your network, the better your chances of finding the right opportunity.
Getting Connected Is Easier Than You Think
Often, hearing the words “connections” and “networking” can easily make your heart beat faster and your palms start to sweat. 😰 😱
It’s Okay. Take a DEEP breath.
Think of “connections” or people in your “professional network” to be more like friends. Friends tend to help friends when they are in need.
What Types of Professional Friends Are There?
The more professional friends you make, the wider your network becomes which can lead to more jobs, internships and opportunities.
- An Adviser - someone who has done what you want to do.
- An Advice Giver - someone that is in a different field than you.
- A Connector - someone who knows people who have done it before.
- An Expert - someone who you trust who will give you honest feedback.
- A Backup - someone who you might need in the future.
- An Alum - someone who was a former student at the University at Buffalo.
Tips for Meeting People
• Don't forget to introduce yourself and remember to thank them for their time.
• When wearing a name tag at a networking event, place it on your right side. When somebody shakes your hand, it's easier to read your name.
Ways to Make Professional Friends
We know that you have a lot of questions about your future career path, you are not alone. UB alumni have been in the same situation and they know how you feel.
Fun Fact: Connecting to UB alumni is one of the easiest and quickest ways to build your connections.
Friend-making
Find your people, hopefully leading to your next big step.
You can use LinkedIn to follow companies and to join industry-focused groups, or to connect with UB alumni.
Once you have a good LinkedIn profile, you can browse through the 165,000+ UB students and alumni. Find an alum you want to connect with and send a connection request with a note about wanting to have a conversation about your career path.
UB Career Connector Network
Changing Platforms
We are changing platforms for the UB Career Connector Network and will launch our new career mentoring system in the future.
What does this mean for you?
This means you have access to the UB Career Connector Network until Tuesday, May 31. While we're making the switch, you can:
- Check out the Q&A section in Bullseye powered by Handshake to ask other students for advice about interviews, job roles and more.
- Explore the Career Design Studio for advice, tips and tools to help you figure things out after college.
- Talk with a Career Design Consultant for all your career + life design needs.
Need quick tips from someone in your industry or to practice for your big interview? You're in luck! Get after-hour advice, coaching and prep from your UB Alumni-Powered Global Network by booking and completing a consultation with a UB alum.
Get Started
- Click the Login to the UB Career Connector Network button below.
- Click Get Advice.
- Register with your UB email address.
- Complete your full profile.
- Browse hundreds of UB alumni that are waiting to help you
- Schedule a consultation.
UB Career Connector Network is powered by Firsthand.
Inside look
See what company culture fits your style-- leadership or career-wise.
Live + Work Experience
Get an exclusive look at innovative companies that recruit UB students. You’ll see what it’s like to work in top companies, learn about the latest trends from recruiters and UB alumni, and find out if living in these dynamic cities is right for you.
Not sure how to get the conversation started?
See how to introduce yourself and our list of conversation starter topics and questions for when doing an informational interview.
Where career and life collide
In the Career Design Studio, you'll find inspiration, resources and tools all together to help you design your life after college. It doesn't matter where you are in the design process, there's likely a collection that's right for you.
Learn New Career Skills at Upcoming Skillshops
Get professional advice for writing your resume, interviewing, finding a job and so much more at our popular “skillshops.”
Want a customized skillshop for your club, group or class, or have an idea for one, book a career workshop.