Link In: The Art of Networking
Networking is “interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.” For us, as D&M students, it’s a way to build relationships for future co-op opportunities or jobs outside of college. I never realized how important this was until I got to college.
The minute I walked into my first Design and Merchandising class at Drexel, reality hit me like a truck. I was terrified. I walked into a classroom with students dressed head to toe in what I previously thought could only be seen in Milan or Paris. “We’re in Philly, what are you guys thinking?” I thought as I looked around the room. Every girl had a purse; I had my North Face backpack. They were wearing heels; I had my Converse on. Clearly, I wasn’t the most fashionable girl in the room; I just looked like your average student.
It got worse. My heart pounded as professor and fashion powerhouse Chris Baeza told our class we needed to consider cleaning up our social media platforms. She said we needed to make it look more professional. Maybe you should delete those photos of you and your friends out in the city and post photos of you doing things related to your future career. She gave us book, blog, and news article recommendations related to our industry. I don’t know why I was shocked at this, primarily due to Drexel's prestigious Design and Merchandising program. It just dawned on me that I had to start thinking about my future. I hadn’t anticipated having these thoughts on the first day of my first class at Drexel University.
It took me a while to realize it, but Professor Baeza was right. Stepping into a career-focused school like Drexel is nothing but a reality check. You go to Drexel to set yourself up for future success. My friends at Penn State or Pitt (no shade to you guys) aren't told that they need to network the way that Drexel students are having it prioritized in their curriculum.
But networking is one of those things that is much easier said than done. I’m a shy individual who chose a Westphal major simply because she was creative and wanted to potentially work in the fashion industry. How do I navigate the world of networking?
I am here to help you figure out this mystery.
I’ve talked to a few of my fellow students and one of my outstanding professors, and they have a lot of insight into what works for them.
★ Some advice from my own experiences.
1. Find your niche.
What genuinely makes you excited? Is it fashion? Is it art? Is it home goods? Our major is so broad, and you shouldn’t feel stuck only working within the fashion industry. Design and Merchandising allows you to work in any industry with a product that needs merchandising. Once you find something that makes you happy, stick with it. Explore it. Take classes that allow you to do this. The D&M magazine class has gotten me out of my shell; it’s the first class I have taken that has allowed me complete freedom in what I am putting my time and effort into. It was great to take a class like this because I could write articles about topics I am interested in. Having this outlet has allowed me to explore what makes me excited. I’ve learned how much I love fashion but am also interested in art. I was able to explore Philadelphia's art scene, which has ultimately led me to want to take more art history classes at Drexel.
2. Practice makes perfect.
You're not going to get anywhere if you don't start somewhere. I spent my time worrying about passing my classes during my freshman year. It wasn’t until I met Professor Christine Kostyrka that I found someone with whom I connected. I started by reaching out to her in my Retail Operations class and asking her questions about the art scene in Philadelphia. It helped that I was writing an article on this topic for the magazine because I could have insight from industry experts through my professors. I met with Professor Kostyrka to discuss her career and what got her the position as the retail director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I left those meetings feeling excited about my future. From then on, I reached out to people I knew from my family’s network who worked in the fashion or art industry. I had several calls with different people to discuss their careers and what got them there.
★ Some advice from my classmates who have had great networking experiences:
3. Cold call as many people as you can.
Cold calling is a great place to start if you're looking for a job. It means calling companies without warning to ask them for a job or interview. Researching these companies beforehand can make you look as professional as possible. Amanda Bundschuh, a third-year D&M student, describes her experience: “I’ve gotten every single job I've had by cold calling. It shows a lot of courage and adaptability to call someone on the phone.”
4. Start on Social Media
“It’s basically stalking. Pick out a target. Follow them. Like their first two posts.” says Kyd Kacani, a 3rd-year D&M student. Social media networking is a tactic to get your name into the world. You can do it without much effort, and with consistency, it can land you a great connection down the line. Kyd recommends having a public account to do this because it fosters reciprocity. It’s inconsequential if they can't see your page, but you interact with them on theirs.
5. Make conversation with people who have similar interests as you.
Odelya Kalmonofsky, a D&M sophomore, went on the Kleinfeld bridal trip during her freshman year of college. She was fortunate to meet Pnina Tornai, an iconic bridalwear designer who has made gowns for thousands of brides worldwide. Pnina and her got along immediately. They bonded over their Jewish heritage. She has this fantastic connection simply from bonding over their shared cultural backgrounds. She has maintained this connection since then and can rely on it in the future.
★ Some advice from D&M professor Maureen DeSimone:
6. Network to Network.
Professor DeSimone believes it is beneficial for her students to network simply to network, not with the intention of getting a job or even a co-op out of their interaction with this person. Just having one conversation with someone is not going to land you a full-time job, so it’s essential to build your connection with an individual over time to maintain relationships throughout your time as a student and throughout your career.
7. Coffee Run/15-minute call.
A lot of students freak out about the concept of meeting with a professional in the industry for coffee. I did the first time I heard about it. I didn’t believe a simple call would be doable at my age. I felt too young to interact with professionals of such high importance. This is false. Most of the time, people want to help the younger generation. People also love to talk about themselves. Start with these three questions: What do you do for a living? What are you passionate about? How can I get there? Let them lead the conversation and listen. The conversation will flow from there.
8. You can network being an introvert and an extrovert.
Being a shy individual should not prevent you from networking. It may come easier to others, but people usually have no clue if you are nervous. This goes hand in hand with the idea that practice makes perfect. Confidence is key. No one can tell how nervous you are if you present yourself well. Practicing this will eventually help overcome shyness. It’s like playing a sport or an instrument. You won't become good at something by only doing it once. Once you start, you can only go up from there. If you are a little shy, starting may be a bit scarier. But believe me, once you do, it’ll just become easier.
9. Start with your peers.
The people you are surrounded by in your classes could eventually become your future colleagues, business partners, and/or mentors. Your peers can also introduce you to different things that you may be interested in. Creating good relationships and making friends with your classmates is a great place to start. The D&M mentor/mentee program is put in place for this express purpose.
10. When should I follow up?
This is something that I have struggled with in my networking experiences. Whether someone fails to answer an email or ends up ghosting you after answering a few times, it’s essential to follow up. Now, this doesn't mean nagging someone constantly. Follow up (about two weeks after they stopped answering) with an email reminding them who you are and what you are interested in hearing from them. If they continue not to answer…let it go. Just because your relationship with one individual fell through does not mean this will occur in all your future relationships. Don’t take it personally, and move on.
All in all, networking is a substantial factor in success as a Design and Merchandising student. Take the advice of your friends and professors and start early rather than later. Start slow and simply network to network.