Connections That Count: Helping Your Student Build Their Career Network
October 14, 2026
As students move through college, conversations about internships, careers, graduate school, and life after Fisher become more real. While résumés and interviews matter, there is another skill students should be building now: networking. The good news? Networking doesn’t have to mean walking into a room full of strangers or asking someone for a job. It’s simply about building relationships, asking questions, learning from others, and staying connected.
Why Networking Matters
Today’s job search is about more than submitting applications. A 2025 LinkedIn report found that 38% of surveyed recent hires found their job through a referral or someone in their network. For students, those connections can begin with professors, classmates, internship supervisors, staff mentors, alumni, employers, coaches, family friends, or professionals they discover on LinkedIn.
Networking also helps students learn what careers are really like. A conversation with someone in the field can introduce new career possibilities, provide insight into an organization, and help students better understand workplace expectations.
One Thing Your Student Can Do This Month (or the next)
Encourage your student to have one career conversation. They can identify someone whose career, organization, graduate program, or professional journey interests them and ask for 15–20 minutes to learn more. Instead of asking, “Do you know of any jobs?” they might ask, “How did you get started in your career, and what advice would you give someone interested in this field?” One conversation can lead to a new connection, helpful advice, or simply greater confidence.
Make LinkedIn Part of the Process
LinkedIn serves as an online résumé, but it’s also a tool for career exploration, research, networking, and learning about organizations and industries. From November 9–13, The Career Coaches of Fisher podcast will feature a special LinkedIn micro episode series with quick, practical tips on building a profile, making connections, and using LinkedIn for career exploration. Encourage your student to listen to an episode between classes, during a commute, or while grabbing coffee. Also, ask your student if they have joined Cardinal Connections: A St. John Fisher University Community on LinkedIn which is designed to bring together students, alumni, faculty, and staff for professional networking and career-focused conversations.
November Is Networking November!
Career Services is offering special Networking November walk-in hours from 12 noon–4 p.m. on November 3, 10, and 17. Students can stop by for help with LinkedIn, networking strategies, professional introductions, connecting with alumni and professionals, or preparing for an informational interview. No preparation is needed, just stop in and start the conversation.
A Little Encouragement Goes a Long Way
Families can support students without taking over the process. Instead of asking, “Have you found a job yet?” consider asking “Who have you talked with recently about what you might want to do after college?” Students don’t need hundreds of LinkedIn connections or a perfectly mapped-out career plan. They just need to start. One conversation. One connection. One next step.
Connections That Count: Helping Your Student Build Their Career Network2026-10-14T10:51:38-04:00As students move through college, conversations about internships, careers, graduate school, and life after Fisher become more real. While résumés and interviews matter, there is another skill students should be building now: networking. The good news? Networking doesn’t have to mean walking into a room full of strangers or asking someone for a job. It’s simply about building relationships, asking questions, learning from others, and staying connected.Why Networking Matters
Today’s job search is about more than submitting applications. A 2025 LinkedIn report found that 38% of surveyed recent hires found their job through a referral or someone in their network. For students, those connections can begin with professors, classmates, internship supervisors, staff mentors, alumni, employers, coaches, family friends, or professionals they discover on LinkedIn.
Networking also helps students learn what careers are really like. A conversation with someone in the field can introduce new career possibilities, provide insight into an organization, and help students better understand workplace expectations.
One Thing Your Student Can Do This Month (or the next)
Encourage your student to have one career conversation. They can identify someone whose career, organization, graduate program, or professional journey interests them and ask for 15–20 minutes to learn more. Instead of asking, “Do you know of any jobs?” they might ask, “How did you get started in your career, and what advice would you give someone interested in this field?” One conversation can lead to a new connection, helpful advice, or simply greater confidence.
Make LinkedIn Part of the Process
LinkedIn serves as an online résumé, but it’s also a tool for career exploration, research, networking, and learning about organizations and industries. From November 9–13, The Career Coaches of Fisher podcast will feature a special LinkedIn micro episode series with quick, practical tips on building a profile, making connections, and using LinkedIn for career exploration. Encourage your student to listen to an episode between classes, during a commute, or while grabbing coffee. Also, ask your student if they have joined Cardinal Connections: A St. John Fisher University Community on LinkedIn which is designed to bring together students, alumni, faculty, and staff for professional networking and career-focused conversations.
November Is Networking November!
Career Services is offering special Networking November walk-in hours from 12 noon–4 p.m. on November 3, 10, and 17. Students can stop by for help with LinkedIn, networking strategies, professional introductions, connecting with alumni and professionals, or preparing for an informational interview. No preparation is needed, just stop in and start the conversation.
A Little Encouragement Goes a Long Way
Families can support students without taking over the process. Instead of asking, “Have you found a job yet?” consider asking “Who have you talked with recently about what you might want to do after college?” Students don’t need hundreds of LinkedIn connections or a perfectly mapped-out career plan. They just need to start. One conversation. One connection. One next step.