Jenni Hogan's Tips for Effective Networking

To me, networking is giving and helping others and really enjoying it. Think, "How can I help this person?" That is GREAT networking.

My Top Tips:

• Expect it to be one-sided: How can I help you? How can I make it easy for you to build a relationship and an investment in me?
• Get over being polite: The communications industry is about chasing down people, telling their stories, winning people over. It may be awkward but you’re showing them how good you are at communicating if you keep calling, emailing, knocking on their door with a reason. Remember this is how you’d treat a job at their company. Would you not call someone your boss requested you call again because they didn’t call you back?
• Get out there but be real: Go to events to support charities you believe in, attend networking nights that you have a common interest in (e.g. ladies night). UW networking is great…we all have a common interest (Huskies).
• Don’t be a network snob: You never know who someone may know. Throw a wide net. Network everyone. Don’t just network the people in the power seat. Network other students, the receptionist, students in other fields/degrees. The communication industry is small. Students around you will be able to help you in the future. Some may hire you, some you may want to hire or recommend to your boss they hire them. Start now. Build a network of people in your field and age. They are not your competition, they are your network.

Jenni Hogan, '02, is the morning traffic anchor for KIRO-TV in Seattle.

Additional Career Resources

• Connect with Communication alumni, faculty and students by joining the UW Communication LinkedIn group where you can find or offer career advice and learn about collaboration opportunities.
• Join HuskyConnect, a new online networking community with over 300,000 Huskies.
  
• Join Husky Career Network, where you will find over 5,000 UW alumni and friends who have volunteered to assist fellow Huskies with career strategies.