Network and Navigate

Madesh Samanu at Clemson University. (Photograph courtesy Madesh Samanu)

I am a second-year master’s student in the student affairs and higher education program at Clemson University. I graduated in 2022 from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. I arrived in the United States in 2018 with three bags of luggage and tons of excitement to start this amazing academic journey. Along the way, I have met many wonderful people who have become friends, mentors and family.

Here are some tips on how to build networks within and outside the college community and feel at home at your university.

Breaking the ice:  When meeting new people, I find it useful to initiate a conversation. Whenever I am in a new space, I take the first step to introduce myself and try to build rapport through small talk and open-ended questions. I am always surprised to discover how much knowledge I acquire by simply learning about the person next to me.

Participate in conferences: One of the ways I met colleagues in the field was by attending professional conferences. These meetings draw people from all over the world who are passionate about the field. Attendance and participation helped me to build my professional network.

Get involved: The campus and the community ensure that there is always something for someone to be part of and belong to. Clubs and organizations are a great way to join groups that interest you and participate in events. The clubs I joined played a role in building my sense of belonging and helped me find my voice and leadership potential.

Volunteer: Being involved in the local and campus community is a great way to meet people outside the institutional bubble. I found it highly rewarding to serve the community I was part of. Some examples of how I served the community were through participation in student government, campus committees and service days. Volunteering also allowed me to build strong relationships in my circle of friends.

Expand your online presence: Maintaining an active profile on LinkedIn and other social media platforms plays a crucial role in building networks. They offer great ways to connect with individuals and professional associations. These online communities are helpful when researching graduate schools, seeking internships, jobs and other professional development opportunities.

Madesh Samanu is a student at Clemson University, South Carolina.

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