# Network and Connect
**Source**: https://careernetwork.msu.edu/channels/network-and-connect/
**Parent**: https://careernetwork.msu.edu/channels/international-student/
##
Building a professional network is an important part of your career planning process, especially if you’re not sure about the path you’d like to pursue. Meeting people not only gives you the opportunity to learn from them, but can help you narrow down your area(s) of interest.
Most students use networking all the time without even realizing it. Networking takes place whenever you…
- Meet with faculty or staff- especially a career advisor
- Attend an employer event, career fair or MSU workshop
- Meet guest speakers or engage with your peers in class or through a student organization
- Talk with family, friends, or other acquaintances about their work
- Post messages on Facebook, LinkedIn, other websites and blogs
- Volunteer for a community service event
## Conduct an Informational Interview
An [informational interview](https://msucareertools.campuscareerinnovations.com/resources/informational-interviewing/) provides you with an opportunity to find out what a specific career path has to offer, the potential positives and negatives within an industry or organization’s culture, and recommended academic majors that will best prepare you for a selected career path. Connect with professionals in your field(s) of interest and arrange a 10-30 minute meeting to ask questions.
**Private Interview Rooms** – may be reserved for students who are seeking a quiet and professional space to conduct virtual interviews. Please complete our [Interview Room Reservation Request Form.](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeviAKuCGSxGDVQpNhgdWVIuQxVTd3oCgaGKJFYvKsVGodGeg/viewform)
## Participate in a Job Shadow Experience
A [job shadow](https://msucareertools.campuscareerinnovations.com/resources/job-shadow-tips-and-questions/) experience provides you with a chance to **observe** **daily office activities, ask questions**, and consider the potential pros and cons of a particular profession or industry. You will also discover what workplace skills and career-related experiences are essential to being successful in your chosen field.
## Attend Career Fairs
A career fair is an excellent way to **network with a large number of employers who hire Spartans**. Attend to learn about different industries and available job and internship opportunities with specific companies. Connecting with representatives is a great way to get acquainted with a professional contact (beyond your resume and cover letter) and provides a great opportunity for career exploration and professional development.
- [What to expect and how to prepare for the fair](https://msucareertools.campuscareerinnovations.com/resources/career-fair-prep/)
- [Craft your elevator speech](https://msucareertools.campuscareerinnovations.com/resources/elevator-pitch/)
- [Virtual Career Fairs in Handshake: A Guide for Students](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/resources/virtual-fairs-in-handshake-a-guide-for-students/)
## Join LinkedIn
[LinkedIn](https://msucareertools.campuscareerinnovations.com/resources/linkedin/) is the world’s largest **professional social media platform**, designed to help you share information about yourself as well as learn about other people, companies, and schools.
- [LinkedIn resources for students](https://msucareertools.campuscareerinnovations.com/resources/linkedin-college-student-how-to-resources/)
Connect with MSU alumni to learn more about their career paths and experiences. The MSU Alumni Association has a large LinkedIn group that students can join to connect with other alumni. In addition, many regional MSU Alumni Clubs have groups specifically for those living and working in that area. If you are planning to relocate or are looking for an internship in a particular region, these groups can be useful resources.
## Participate in Career Treks
Our Career Treks offer you the chance to explore and gain insight into a range of career fields. These **unique, immersive experiences** allow you to engage with organizations, learn about various career paths, meet with Michigan State alumni, and make valuable professional connections
## Featured Articles
[#### Maximizing Your Network for Job Opportunities](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/blog/2024/03/31/maximizing-your-network-for-job-opportunities/)
[#### Ask an Expert: How to Conduct an Informational Interview](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/blog/2022/03/30/ask-an-expert-how-to-conduct-an-informational-interview/)
[#### Alumna Making Waves in the Agriculture Industry](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/blog/2021/04/29/alumna-making-waves-in-the-agriculture-industry/)
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[View All](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/blog/?stag%5B%5D=network-and-connect)
## Videos
[### 10 Career Fair Tips Video post](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/videos/10-career-fair-tips/)
[### Virtual Networking Video post](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/videos/virtual-networking/)
[### 10 Tips to impress at a virtual career fair Video post](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/videos/10-tips-to-impress-at-a-virtual-career-fair/)
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[View All Videos](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/videos/?shared_category=network-and-connect)
**26%**
Bachelor's degree graduates continue education.
**77%**
Undergraduate students complete an internship.
**93%**
Bachelor's degree graduates work or continue education.
\*Data Source: Post-graduation [outcomes](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/outcomes/) and experiences of bachelor’s degree recipients (2021-2025).
## CAREER RESOURCES
[Clear](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/resources/)
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### [Career Education Videos: Powered by Candid Career](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/resources/candid-career/)
- Share This: [Share Career Education Videos: Powered by Candid Career on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Fcandid-career%2F "Click to share on Facebook")[Share Career Education Videos: Powered by Candid Career on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?token&isFramed=false&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Fcandid-career%2F "Click to share on LinkedIn")[Share Career Education Videos: Powered by Candid Career on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Career+Education+Videos%3A+Powered+by+Candid+Career&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2F%3Fp%3D36701 "Click to share on Twitter")
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Career Education Videos, powered by Candid Career provides you with a fun and effective way to explore careers and learn …
### [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/)
- Share This: [Share LinkedIn on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Flinkedin%2F "Click to share on Facebook")[Share LinkedIn on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?token&isFramed=false&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Flinkedin%2F "Click to share on LinkedIn")[Share LinkedIn on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=LinkedIn&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2F%3Fp%3D158 "Click to share on Twitter")
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A networking tool to find connections to recommended job candidates, alumni, industry experts and business partners.
### [Your Journey to Career Success](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/resources/your-journey-to-career-success/)
- Share This: [Share Your Journey to Career Success on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Fyour-journey-to-career-success%2F "Click to share on Facebook")[Share Your Journey to Career Success on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?token&isFramed=false&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Fyour-journey-to-career-success%2F "Click to share on LinkedIn")[Share Your Journey to Career Success on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Your+Journey+to+Career+Success&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2F%3Fp%3D201703 "Click to share on Twitter")
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Welcome to [**Your Journey to Career Success**](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/videos/your-journey-to-career-success-promo-video/). This is a series of [blog posts](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/blog/?ctag%5B%5D=your-journey-to-career-success) and [videos](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/videos/?ctag%5B%5D=your-journey-to-career-success) that are designed to …
### [MSU Management Consulting Academy](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/resources/msu-management-consulting-academy/)
- Share This: [Share MSU Management Consulting Academy on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Fmsu-management-consulting-academy%2F "Click to share on Facebook")[Share MSU Management Consulting Academy on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?token&isFramed=false&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Fmsu-management-consulting-academy%2F "Click to share on LinkedIn")[Share MSU Management Consulting Academy on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=MSU+Management+Consulting+Academy&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2F%3Fp%3D95031 "Click to share on Twitter")
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The Management Consulting Academy at MSU is aimed at preparing students for careers in management consulting. Through a variety of …
### [Job Shadow- Tips and Questions](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/resources/job-shadow-tips-and-questions/)
- Share This: [Share Job Shadow- Tips and Questions on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Fjob-shadow-tips-and-questions%2F "Click to share on Facebook")[Share Job Shadow- Tips and Questions on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?token&isFramed=false&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Fjob-shadow-tips-and-questions%2F "Click to share on LinkedIn")[Share Job Shadow- Tips and Questions on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Job+Shadow-+Tips+and+Questions&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2F%3Fp%3D49516 "Click to share on Twitter")
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**Job Shadowing:**
During a typical job shadowing visit you “shadow” an employee at work for a couple of hours, or …
### [Elevator Pitch](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/resources/elevator-pitch/)
- Share This: [Share Elevator Pitch on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Felevator-pitch%2F "Click to share on Facebook")[Share Elevator Pitch on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?token&isFramed=false&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2Fresources%2Felevator-pitch%2F "Click to share on LinkedIn")[Share Elevator Pitch on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Elevator+Pitch&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcareernetwork.msu.edu%2F%3Fp%3D49313 "Click to share on Twitter")
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**What is an Elevator Pitch?**An elevator pitch is used to introduce yourself in networking settings, such as career fairs, …
[View All Resources](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/resources/?shared_category=network-and-connect)
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[View All](https://careernetwork.msu.edu/companies/?ctag%5B%5D=unity-partner&ctag%5B%5D=employer-partner&ctag%5B%5D=career-handbook-sponsor&ctag%5B%5D=career-fair-sponsor)