A year ago life as we knew it completely changed. Large gatherings were canceled, PPE became a familiar term, and everything went virtual. From classes to social gatherings, you had to get used to seeing everything—and everyone — on a screen. And while we may be used to it, attending college virtually isn’t easy. Here are a few ways to network and get involved during a virtual semester.
Stay Engaged Academically
Without being physically present on campus and in the classroom, it can be difficult to stay engaged, especially academically. A great way to get involved virtually is to participate in class. Ask questions, make comments, and respond to questions on class discussion boards. Many classes create groups using social media or their school’s learning management system. Joining, and actively participating in, these groups can help you connect with other students and your professors, create new friendships that transcend the classroom, and provide you with the support you need to stay engaged and to succeed.
Take Advantage of Social Media
While social media was a great way to connect before the pandemic, it has become even more critical now that students aren’t physically on campus. Use social media to stay connected, get involved, and network. Make sure to follow your school’s social media pages to stay updated on news, offerings, and events. Also, follow the pages of specific school groups you participate in or want to participate in, as well as any companies and organizations you’re interested in working for. Following shows your interest, provides a way to interact virtually, and allows you to quickly learn about job openings posted on social media. Getting involved on social media may provide some of the social interaction that you’ve been lacking, while also providing new connections that can be useful after college.
Utilize LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a great networking tool that allows you to stay in touch with current professional contacts, and connect with new ones. Take the time to update your LinkedIn page so that you can create new — and maintain current — professional connections in fields that interest you. Don’t be afraid to join groups, post in your news feed, and reach out to professionals you’d like to connect with. LinkedIn was built to connect people online, so take advantage of it.
Attend Virtual Job Fairs
Like everything else, job fairs have gone virtual. These events are great ways to meet new people, and employers. Pre-pandemic, many students’ schedules were so packed that it was hard to find time to attend job fairs, and many employers limited their attendance to schools they had strong relationships with or that were in their geographic region. Now, with virtual job fairs, employers have the ability to meet with students from schools where they otherwise might not have recruited, and students are finding more opportunities to connect with a broader range of companies. Participating in job fairs allows you to learn about companies and positions you may be interested in, and provides you with a prime opportunity to network.
Connect with Alumni
Now is a great time to connect with alumni near and far. Just like you, the majority of alumni are working from home and may be more readily able to chat. Set up virtual coffee chats or informational interviews with alumni in fields you’re interested in. Most are happy to chat with current students and want to help. Since there is no need to be in the same location, you can meet virtually with alumni all over the world. These meetings are not only prime networking opportunities but are also a great way to stay connected to your school and to help you determine your career path once you graduate.
Attending college virtually may not be the easiest or the most fun, but that doesn’t make it a negative experience. There are still plenty of ways to network and get involved. You may even find that you have more time now that you are not physically on campus. Getting involved with your school and networking will help you to learn more about yourself and what you’re looking for after graduation. It will remind you that socializing is still possible. The virtual world is here to stay, so make the most of it now to set yourself up for your next steps after graduation.
On Topic
Mikaela David-John, Saint Regis Mohawk, has been an AISES member since 2014 during her undergraduate days at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations. This spring, she will receive a master’s degree in family, youth, and community sciences from the University of Florida (UF). David-John helped form an AISES College Chapter at UF and is currently the chapter president as well as the current AISES Region 7 Student Representative. She works as a community research coordinator at Partnership for Strong Families, a nonprofit child welfare agency.
Aside from the academic challenges that come with virtual learning, what other obstacles do students face?
One of the biggest challenges of a virtual semester is the social aspect. In person, connections and friendships come naturally. You can walk past a student organization table and get information about its next meeting. Virtually, you must work a lot harder to make those social connections, and sometimes it may seem easier to just wait until things go back to “normal.” Virtual semesters can make it feel like you have no support system, or you are just going through the motions but not really living. One of the biggest things that has helped me is accepting that I am not alone with these feelings. The whole world is going through it, and we will get through it together — there are brighter days to come!
How can students avoid feeling isolated during a virtual semester?
One way to end that feeling of isolation, especially in the academic setting, is to join virtual study groups or create a Slack or a GroupMe for different classes and invite classmates to join. This can help you make connections that you would have made during class and give you a space to talk about the triumphs and tribulations of the course.
Also, be kind to yourself — both psychically and mentally. Acknowledge the times we are living in instead of trying to ignore the toll that it may be taking on you. It’s OK to feel alone, but also recognize that you are not alone in that feeling. I think that we can be our own worst critics, which can lead to negative feelings about the social isolation that it is ultimately beyond our control. Try to switch your mindset from “I have to be isolated” to “I get this time to heal.” Even if you are able to swap those messages, remember it’s OK to have bad days.
What are your top two tips for networking while learning remotely?
First, make a plan and stick to it. Budget your time just as seriously as you would budget your money — some for essentials like school and work, and some for social activities. Making a plan, even a loose plan for your leisure time, allows you to work toward a well-balanced life. It is easy to lose track when everything is remote, but sticking to your plan helps provide a sense of normalcy that can help you stay balanced.
Second, don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek guidance. It may seem weird to seek out your academic advisor or professor, especially if you have never met them face-to-face, but they’re there to support you. In addition, try to look at the benefits of remote learning. For example, you can seek guidance from those who are physically farther away because everyone is living in this virtual world right now. We’ve all gotten much better at utilizing technology, so play on that strength. Maybe there’s someone on your reservation who is good at calculus or English literature; see if they are willing to meet with you to talk through assignments.
What are three ways remote students can get involved in school-related activities and organizations?
1. Check to see if your school is offering a virtual student organization fair. It may seem a little weird to pop in and out of Zoom meetings to see if different student organizations interest you, but it can be rewarding.
2. Many student organizations are working hard to ensure their members can take part in fun virtual social activities. Take advantage of these! Typically, colleges have a website devoted to student organization information and events. Look over the events calendar on your college website and take a leap of faith.
3. Join Facebook groups associated with your university. Social media is a low-stakes way to get involved with student organizations because you have to interact only with what you want, and you can just gloss over the rest. “Like” pages of student organizations that interest you so you easily can stay updated with that group.
Why is it important to continue fostering relationships even when you aren’t seeing peers, mentors, and instructors in person?
High school and college are times when we forge lifelong relationships. It’s important to keep fostering those relationships, whether they are new or old. I have mentors and instructors from high school who are still willing to write recommendations for me and will send me opportunities because I have cultivated those relationships over the years. Fostering relationships does not mean you have to be in contact every day, but you should keep them in the loop about the big moments and accomplishments in your life and set times to meet up when it is safe. I think finding mentors in this virtual world has been very hard. That said, if someone’s story inspires or intrigues you, reach out to them. Social networks are important for personal and professional growth, so we must keep working toward making and maintaining these connections.
