The CSU-Pueblo Career Center will host its first Speed Networking 101 event from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, in the Hartwell Lounge at the Occhiato University Center.
Speed Networking is becoming more popular for universities across the country and this is a great way to bring students, alumni and our community together to start building strong networks for our students, said Tanya Baird, the internship coordinator in the Career Center.
“We realize that students are afraid and intimidated by business networking, but it is one of the most valuable opportunities they can take advantage of throughout their professional careers,” Baird said.
Seventy percent of jobs are found through networking, according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
Getting comfortable with social events, learning to remember people’s names and organizing their phone number and email address are all essential to a student’s success.
Students continue to mention how nervous they are when introducing themselves and they are unsure what to even talk about. Employers tell us that a polished and practiced student gets their attention. Both comments prompted us to create the opportunity for students to practice their networking skills in a “learning” environment that they would not be intimidated in, said Baird.
Speed Networking 101 is the perfect venue for you to learn and practice your networking skills. Speed networking is a structured, quick and targeted, low pressure form of networking.
This gives students the chance to network with other professionals face-to-face for five minutes at a time, one-on-one at a table. Once the student is finished, they move on to the next person and continue to build relationships during the entire hour, stated Baird.
“I think this is one of the most worthwhile events we could offer to students and am looking forward to building on it in the future!” Baird said.
This event is sponsored by the CSU-Pueblo Career Center, Alumni Relations and Target.
Students should bring at least 10 business cards to exchange with professionals. There is a 50 student maximum for this event.
The event format:
- 11:30 a.m.-noon: Opening introductions, instructions, informal networking and Leader placement (finger foods and drinks will be served).
- Noon-1:00 p.m.: Events begin. Students will have five minutes to introduce themselves and network.
-At the 5 minute mark, the horn will sound and students have one minute
to move one spot to their right.
-Horn will sound, introductions begin again, and so on.
-Students will have an opportunity to network with 10 individuals.
- 1-1:30 p.m.: Event ends and employers will be available to talk to students that they did not network with during the event.
For more information or to register for this event contact the Career Center at 719-549-2980 or [email protected].