Posted by I almost skipped my first networking event. I stood outside the conference room, watching through the glass as dozens of well-dressed strangers shook hands and exchanged business cards. I felt like an imposter. I had nothing to offer. I was just a student. I turned around and walked back to my apartment. That decision cost me months of opportunities I did not even know existed.
What I learned, eventually, is that networking is not about what you can get. It is about what you can build. And the best time to start building is before you need anything. As an MBA student, you are surrounded by future leaders, future entrepreneurs, and future collaborators. The relationships you form now will shape your career for decades. But only if you learn to approach them the right way.
The first shift I had to make was in my mindset. I stopped thinking of networking as asking for favors and started thinking of it as building relationships. That meant showing genuine interest in other people, not just collecting contacts. I started asking questions that had nothing to do with what someone could do for me. What are you working on? What excites you right now? What was your path to this program? People remember how you made them feel, not what you said.
The second shift was in my approach to professors. I had been treating them as gatekeepers and graders. They are actually some of the most connected people in your field. I started going to office hours with genuine questions, not just grade disputes. I asked about their research. I asked about their career path. I asked for book recommendations. Over time, those conversations became relationships. One professor introduced me to a former student who became my mentor.
The third shift was in how I used my classmates. I had been viewing them as competition. That was a mistake. My classmates are my future colleagues, business partners, and referral sources. I started organizing small study groups and informal dinners. I started celebrating their wins and supporting them through their struggles. I started treating the program as a shared journey, not a race. Those relationships have outlasted the degree.
The fourth shift was in my willingness to be visible. I had been hiding in the back of the room. I started volunteering for leadership roles in student clubs. I started speaking up in class. I started attending events even when I felt awkward. Visibility is not about being the loudest person in the room. It is about being present. You cannot build relationships if no one knows who you are.
The fifth shift was in how I used LinkedIn. I had a profile but I never used it. I started posting about what I was learning. I started commenting on other people’s posts. I started reaching out to alumni for informational interviews. Not to ask for a job. To learn about their path. Most people said yes. And many of those conversations led to opportunities I never could have predicted.
The sixth shift was in my follow-up. I had been terrible at staying in touch. I would meet someone, have a great conversation, and never speak to them again. I started keeping a simple spreadsheet of everyone I met. I noted what we talked about. I set reminders to check in. A quick email asking how their project turned out. A congratulations on a new role. A link to an article that reminded me of them. Small gestures that kept relationships warm.
The seventh shift was in my understanding of giving. I had nothing to offer, or so I thought. But I did have something. I had time. I had energy. I had fresh perspectives. I started connecting people who should know each other. I started sharing opportunities I heard about. I started being helpful before I needed help. That reputation followed me. When I did need help, people were eager to provide it.
Networking is not a transaction. It is not a checklist. It is a practice of curiosity, generosity, and consistency. My MBA network is the most valuable thing I took from the program. More than the classes. More than the diploma. The people I met opened doors, offered advice, and supported me through transitions. They are still doing it today.
References
Graduate Management Admission Council. (n.d.). *The value of MBA networking—and 5 ways to be a great networker*. [https://www.gmac.com/resources/learners/business-programs/student-experience-roi/value-of-mba-networking](https://www.gmac.com/resources/learners/business-programs/student-experience-roi/value-of-mba-networking)
Graduate Management Admission Council. (2011). *Satisfied MBAs: Career switchers and career enhancers*. [https://www.gmac.com/-/media/files/gmac/research/research-report-series/rr0711_switcherenhancer.pdf](https://www.gmac.com/-/media/files/gmac/research/research-report-series/rr0711_switcherenhancer.pdf)
University of Toronto Mississauga Career Centre. (n.d.). *Develop your professional network*. [https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/develop-your-professional-network](https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/develop-your-professional-network)
Northwestern University. (n.d.). *Networking as a graduate student*. [https://www.northwestern.edu/careers/jobs-internships/networking/networking-as-a-graduate-student.html](https://www.northwestern.edu/careers/jobs-internships/networking/networking-as-a-graduate-student.html)