Building relationships is one of the most valuable things you can do during your college experience. From a career perspective, conversations with professionals about their career paths, the organizational culture they work in, and tips for entering a career field can offer insights you wonโ€™t find anywhere else. These connections can help you explore career fit and uncover opportunities, often before they’re publicly posted.ย 

The articles and resources on this page are designed to help you gain confidence about engaging in conversations with people from a career lens. Sometimes these conversations may be a structured informational interviews. Sometimes these conversations will be a matter of asking a speaker a few questions after a presentation they give on-campus. Other times, you might engage in dialogue at a networking event. Whatever form these conversations may take, remember it is all about connecting with and learning from others.

What is career networking? 

Career networking is the process of building and nurturing professional relationships to exchange information, explore career paths, discover new opportunities, and stay connected within your field of interest. 

Building your networking toolkit

Before diving into networking conversations, build the right tools for success: 

  • Create a strong resume to market your skills and experiences.ย 
  • Develop an elevator pitch to introduce who you are and what you are interested in.ย 
  • Know what you want to learn by identifying questions and topics you’re curious about. 
  • Create a strong LinkedIn Profile that reflects your goals and personality.  

Ready to grow your career network? Start here!

Start with your existing network (friends, family, professors, supervisors, etc.) 

  • Join a student organization 
  • Connect with UMass Lowell Alumni on LinkedIn 
  • Conduct an informational interviewย 
  • Attend Career & Co-op Center events
  • Go to a career fair 

3 Common Misunderstandings About Getting Hired: A Student Intern’s Perspective

As a social media intern in the Career & Co-op Center, my mentor, Dr. Victoria Barbeisch, taught me not only social media skills but also important information to help me land a job so I can use these skills after …

By Eftihia Malvers
Eftihia Malvers
Read more

How Students Actually Get Internships: Real Strategies That Work

You’ve Been Searching for a Month. Here’s What’s Actually Working.

Scrolling through internship postings for weeks with nothing to show for it? You’re definitely not alone. Most students treat the internship hunt like a numbers game: blast out applications, cross …

Read more

Networking feels fake? 4 ways to build real connections. | From Dorms to Desks Podcast | ep82

Does networking make you feel like a used car salesman? Stop faking it. We reveal how to build genuine connections without selling your soul.

In this episode of the From Dorms to Desks Podcast, we dive into Keith Spencer’s expert …

By College Recruiter
College Recruiter believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career.
Read more

April Employer Events – UML Student Eli’s Picks!

While the spring 2026 semester comes to a close at the end of the month, there are still numerous exciting opportunities available for our River Hawks to explore with off-campus employers through Handshake.

By Victoria Barbeisch
Victoria Barbeisch Communications and Program Specialist, Career Services
Read more

Networking without feeling fake: How to build genuine connections as a student

By: Keith Spencer, Career Expert with AI resume builder Resume Now

As a college student, you get all kinds of advice to start networking. Alumni events, on-campus conferences, and job fairs are all opportunities that faculty and staff encourage you …

By College Recruiter
College Recruiter believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career.
Read more

Sidebar

Resources

UMass Lowell LinkedIn Group

Connect with other Alumni on LinkedIn!

UMass Lowell Alumni Website

Visit UMass Lowell Alumni Online Community!

Informational Interviews

PDF: An informational interview is an interview with someone currently working in a field of interest to you.

Job Search Letters Guide

PDF: Cover Letter, Letter of Inquiry, Informational Interview Request, Thank you/Follow-up Letter

This worksheet will help you develop an elevator pitch to use at career fairs and in other networking situations.

The Career & Co-op Center is making available grants of $250 to support career-related programming by university recognized student groups. …

Contact & Location

Phone
978-934-2355
Address

University Crossing, Suite 450
220 Pawtucket Street
Lowell, MA 01854-5148

O'Leary Library, Rooms 314 & 318
61 Wilder Street
Lowell, MA 01854-5148

Appointment Hours

Monday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.