How To: Become a Campus Networker, Part 3
This is the last post of my 3 part series on How to: Become a Campus Networker. Checkout part 1 and part 2 to catch up on all the fun.
One of the best ways to become the ultimate Campus Networker is to dabble in everything and everyone at college. What do I mean by this? Well, I’m talking about becoming friends with all groups of people.
As we all know, us student like to form cliques or selective groups among ourselves. At my college, there were the rocker kids, the Abercrombie kids, the fraternity kids, the poly sci. kids, and the smart kids.
Ha, I actually think that these socially formed groups are funny and I would never limit myself to any one particular group. I wonder what you would call me? Let’s see… I was in TKE fraternity, I’m smart, and I like rock music… so what the hell am I?
My point exactly.
You see, in college you can fall victim to the petty-superficial-group- forming BS that confines people and limits your chances to meeting really great people who can eventually help you in so many ways; who can help you change the world.
You have to be open and willing to meet ALL types of people, even if they don’t perfectly fit into your current social circle. Become one of those people who’s just about cool with everybody.
If you do that, then you’re on your way to meeting so, so, so many cool, interesting, fun, and smart people who can change your life forever. Now that’s networking! Real networking!
The Student Entrepreneur has to be savvy when it comes to making relationships with people. He/she must know that there is potential in everyone, not just certain people from certain socially constructed groups.
So get out there are make connections with people – people that you normally wouldn’t approach or interact with. Trust me, you’ll be surprised at the end of the day.
The hardest part about this peice is stepping out of your comfort zone. Once you break that barrier, your potential is limitless. I was highly involved in our campus Student Government which allowed me to network with all the major groups on campus. it was great. I have quite a few friends in TKE too.