Interning And Networking
How can I use my internship to make contacts in my workplace?
One way to meet important people at work, is to set someone up with informational interviews. I think they are really important for you to learn about them, and for you to also make that contact. The best way to do it, is to find out who their assistant is, and to ask that assistant. If you run into them in the hallway and say ,"oh, I'd really love to talk to with you!" That's fine, and chances are they'll say, talk to my assistant. If they're busy, or if they're running the company, feel it out. Probably you're not ever going to get face time, one on one, with a CEO of a major Fortune 500 company, because they're running all around and you trying to meet them is not going to really work. At the same token, I don't want to say, don't try. I think you'll never know if you just sit there and don't email anyone, don't ask any questions, and don't ask to meet with people. So the worst thing that can happen is they say, "I'm really busy", and that might happen 10-15 times However, you might land someone big, so feel it out. The great thing to do is use the email directory, and just email someone a very short note and say, "hey, I know you're really busy, but if you have five minutes, I'd love to grab a cup of coffee with you!" You never know where it will lead.
How can I use my internship to make contacts outside of my workplace?
That might take more time than necessarily your summer. What's bound to happen is that people move from job to job, and you'd be surprised that by the time you do your internship, by the time you graduate, the people that you've met have been moved to other companies around the industry. You don't necessarily need to meet people right now, that second, outside. But if meetings do occur outside of your company, don't just say, "Hi, nice to meet you, can I have your card?" Usually, you'll need to help with this or that. Ask them if it's okay if you can contact them later if you have any questions or anything along those lines, and then use your boss in the sense of a rabbi to say, "Hey, I really liked that person and would really love to work with that person, and maybe would even like to intern with him next year. Do you think you have his number, do you think you can hook us up?" That's what this sort of rabbi is for, to make those connections and to help you move along. People are willing to share contact information if they know that you're a rock star.
Is it appropriate to network at work-related social events?
