Networking & LinkedIn.

Networking can feel like a new and intimidating concept. At its core, networking is about building relationships that can help you learn, grow, and find opportunities in your career.

By networking and using LinkedIn you can significantly enhance your job search and build opportunities for professional development throughout your career.

What Is Networking?

Networking is simply talking to people.

• Why Network?
  • Gain insights into industries and roles.
  • Discover opportunities not advertised publicly.
  • Stay current with industry trends.
  • Build a lifelong skill you’ll use throughout your career.
• Proactive & Reciprocal:
  Networking involves taking the initiative to connect with others and offering value in return—it’s a two-way street.

Networking is not just about asking for a job. It’s about exchanging knowledge, building connections, and helping each other grow professionally.

Who Can I Network With?

Anyone!

More specifically, engage and stay in touch with these groups:

• Immediate Circle: Family, friends, neighbors, colleagues
• Education Network: Classmates, professors, and alumni from BU and other schools
• Professional Contacts: People you know from internships, your practicum, volunteer experience, or past jobs
• Industry Experts: Professionals you find through platforms like LinkedIn or Handshake

Where Can I Network?

• Educational Networks: BU networking opportunities like BUSPH alumni groups and BU Connects. Don’t forget those from your other institutions.
• Volunteer/Internship Opportunities by using your “intern” title as a warm opening to request a meeting and learn more.
• Attend Professional Events: Conferences, seminars, and workshops. Go with an open mind and ready to ask questions.
• Professional Associations: Join student-friendly organizations like ASPPH, Boston Young Healthcare Professionals, or Boston Young Professionals.

How Do I Network? - Step-by-Step

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to learn about a specific field or role?
• Am I looking for job opportunities?
• Do I want to expand my network in the industry?

Step 2: Make a List of Contacts

• Start with people you know and expand to professionals in your field of interest.
• LinkedIn is a great place to find new connections.

Step 3: Reach Out

• In Person: Attend events, conferences, and workshops. Introduce yourself authentically. See below for tips.
• Online: Send a concise, polite message.

Example: “Hello [name], I admire your work in [field]. I’m trying to learn more about the opportunities in this area and would love to hear about your experience. Could we set up a 15-minute call? Here are some times over the next few weeks that I have available, but I am also happy to work around your schedule.”

Step 4: Prepare for the Conversations

• Approach these conversations with a learning mindset and build relationships by expressing genuine interest.
• Research the person or organization beforehand.
• Have a few open-ended questions ready, like:
  • “What do you enjoy most about your job?”
  • “What challenges do you face in your role?”
• Be ready to introduce yourself briefly and authentically. See below for tips.

Step 5: Follow Up

• Send a thank-you note within 1–2 days, referencing something specific from your conversation.

Example: “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I found your advice about [XYZ topic] very helpful and inspiring. I look forward to keeping you updated on my progress.”

Step 6: Maintain Relationships

• Stay in touch by sharing relevant articles, congratulating milestones, or sending occasional updates.

How Should I Introduce Myself? Creating an Authentic Introduction

For a meaningful conversation, it is important to spend time thinking about what pieces of your professional self you want to convey. The preparation will be different depending on if you know who you will be meeting – in which case you will prepare based on the research you do on them, or if you’re attending a networking event – where you will prepare more broadly.

What is an Authentic Introduction?

An authentic introduction, similar to an “elevator pitch”, is commonly used when you want to make a memorable and impactful first impression, whether you’re meeting someone for the first time at an event, connecting online, or engaging in an informational interview.

This is a concise way to showcase your unique qualities, professional interests, and goals in a way that sparks curiosity and opens the door for further conversation.

Tips for Creating Authentic Introductions

• Be Flexible: Adapt your introduction to suit different audiences or situations.
• Be Specific: Share details that make your introduction memorable and distinct.
• Practice: Rehearse your introduction so it feels natural and confident, but not robotic.
• Engage: Pause to invite responses, and be genuinely interested in what others share.

Also important to note, an authentic introduction is about how you make the other person feel. When you’re genuine and intentional, your introduction can set the stage for meaningful professional connections.

Elements of an Authentic Introduction

1. Start With a Hook: Who Are You?

Share something engaging about yourself. It could be a personal story, an interesting fact, or a unique perspective. The goal is to make the listener want to learn more and ask questions.

Good Examples:

• “I’m a first-generation graduate student and the youngest of four sisters, all of whom pursued vastly different careers—law, teaching, filmmaking, and contracting.”
• “During my undergraduate years, a major news story broke about how my hometown’s petrochemical plant was causing widespread illness among residents. That ignited my passion for environmental justice.”

Avoid Generic Statements like, “My name is Alec, and I’m a second-year public health student focusing on epidemiology.”

2. Share Your Interests: What Are You Curious About

Highlight the areas or topics that excite you most. This is your chance to show your intellectual curiosity or professional focus.

Examples:

• “I’m fascinated by sustainability, environmental racism, and the intersection of policy and public health.”
• “I enjoy leading small groups and mentoring others, which I’ve done as a campus ambassador and peer tutor for a year.”

3. Explain Your Motivation: Why Do You Care? 

Share your “why”— the deeper reason you’re pursuing your path. Who do you want to help or inspire? Who will benefit? Also known as your value proposition. This adds a personal and memorable touch to your introduction.

Examples:

• “From my experience, I have noticed there is a disconnect between public health and private industry and I think there is so much potential to create positive change if we could bridge that gap.”
• “I believe in creating a sense of belonging and inclusion, inspired by my own challenges in finding community early in college.”
• “I’m passionate about ensuring everyone has access to clean air and water and holding companies accountable for sustainable practices.”
• “I believe first-hand narratives are crucial to build empathy and bridge the divide across our differences”

4. State Your Goal: What Are You Looking For?

Clearly articulate what you’re hoping to achieve through the conversation or connection. A job? To learn a new skill set? To pick someone’s brain?

Examples:

• “I’m looking to gain hands-on experience in sustainable policy and environmental justice through a summer practicum.”
• “I’d love to hear your advice on how I can transition into non-profit health education roles after completing my MPH.”
• “I am looking to: Gain exposure or credibility in the industry/Hoping to find a role in/I am looking for suggestions as to how I can/Opportunities for me to develop/Looking to write for/Insight on how I can apply…Can I follow-up on LinkedIn?”
• “I am hoping to gain opportunities to write and am seeking jobs and internships in journalism to use my writing to ignite dialogue and engage with my community”. Do you mind if I reach out to get your thoughts on this?
• “I’m looking for opportunities this summer to explore my interest in environmental justice and sustainable policy” Is there a convenient way for me to follow-up with you?

Tip: Make it flexible/adaptable to many different situations or audiences and practice it so you can easily tweak the ask

Examples of Authentic Introductions

Networking Event Example

• “I’m a first-generation college graduate and the youngest of four sisters with very different paths—a lawyer, a filmmaker, and a teacher. Growing up, my parents worked tirelessly to give us access to good education, which inspired my passion for educational equity in urban cities. I’m completing my MPH at Boston University and recently worked on a practicum integrating health and nutrition into K-8 education. I am hoping to find a job in a non-profit that would allow me to teach health education using a public health curriculum. I’d be interested to learn about your experieince [working in the public school system as a public health professional]. What has been the biggest challenge recently?”

Online/Email Networking Example

• “When I was an undergraduate, I learned about how petrochemical plants in my hometown caused significant health problems for residents. That sparked my interest in environmental policy and justice. As the President of my university’s sustainability organization, I’ve led initiatives addressing various environmental issues and I’m exploring opportunities to deepen my experience in sustainable policy this summer. Would it be possible to connect and discuss ways someone with my background might be able to contribute to your organization?”

How Do I Leverage LinkedIn?

LinkedIn: The World’s Largest Professional Network.

LinkedIn is the largest job aggregator, so having a strong and professional presence on the platform is important. Use LinkedIn to expand your network, find new opportunities, and stay connected with industry trends and developments. Think of LinkedIn as a compliment to your resume. This is a space where you can include all of your experience, whereas your resume sticks to just the most relevant information.

LinkedIn Tips

• Create a Strong Profile: Optimize your LinkedIn profile by using a professional photo, writing a compelling headline, and providing a comprehensive summary of your skills, experiences, and career goals. Use relevant keywords to improve your profile’s visibility in searches.
• Connect Strategically: Connect with professionals who align with your career interests. Personalize connection requests with a brief introduction explaining your interest in connecting.
• Engage in Private Groups in Your Area of Interest: Join LinkedIn groups related to public health topics and actively participate in discussions. Engaging with group members can help you expand your network and showcase your expertise.
• Join Alumni Groups: Be a part of the BUSPH Alumni Group and BU Alumni Group. Then filter your 2nd and 3rd degree connections for locations, etc.
  Share Relevant Content: Regularly share articles, research papers, and insights related to your areas of interest on your LinkedIn feed. This demonstrates your knowledge and passion for the field.
• Follow Companies and Influencers: Follow organizations and thought leaders to stay updated on industry news, job openings, and trends.
  Seek Recommendations: Request recommendations from professors, supervisors, or colleagues who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. Positive recommendations add credibility to your profile.
• Use the Job Search Feature: LinkedIn offers a job search feature that allows you to filter and apply for relevant positions. Set job alerts to receive notifications about new job postings.

Tips for Informational Interviews

• YOU are the interviewer. Be prepared to ask questions.
• Do your research on the person, their industry, company, etc.
• Show your interest and engage when the interviewee shares information.
• WRITE A THANK YOU EMAIL following your conversation.
• Informational interviews can be short. A 15-30 minute conversation can be very impactful.

Sample Informational Interview/Networking Questions

Here are some sample questions you can ask during an informational interview or while networking.

Use these to help inspire other questions to prepare and the answers given to lead the conversation.

Informational Interviews

• What has been your career path? How did you decide to enter this field?
• What skills are required in your position? How did you learn them?
• What are the biggest challenges in this job or industry? What do you do to mitigate them?
• Tell me about the work/life balance in this role/industry/field.
• What are the qualifications you look for in a new hire?
• What advice would you give to someone who is interested in this field?
• Who else should I be talking to in this area? Do you have any suggestions?
• What are other organizations who do similar work that I should look into?

Networking Events

• How did you get involved [in public health/with BUSPH/etc.]?
• What did you think about [the keynote speaker/session] today?
• Have you been to this event before? How does it compare to past years?
• I’m curious—what made you choose [their current company/organization]?