Networking is one of the main reasons why university is such an exciting experience. You get to connect and build relationships with people who are studying to go down a similar path to you when you graduate. The Oxford Lexico Dictionary defines networking as “the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.”
Jacqueline B, (2018) explains “Connecting with other students can give you a unique perspective on certain topics and can increase your opportunity pool. Advice, referrals, and opportunities are the core reasons why networking in college is so important; it can play a crucial role in your professional success.”
Small Business BC (SBBC) states “the benefits of networking are critical to your personal growth and business development.”
The Michael Page Employment Agency discloses that “Active networking helps to keep you in mind when opportunities such as job openings arise and increases your likelihood of receiving introductions to potentially relevant people or even a referral.”
So what does it, or will it mean for those of us who have not spent anytime on campus yet in our degree? Along with many first-years in 2020, I have spent a week on campus all up before the virus put a stop to UOW continuing with face-to-face classes. In that time, I didn’t get to know anyone well enough to build even a personal relationship with, let alone a professional one.
My research is based around this main question – how has online learning affected students ability to network and are they at a disadvantage going into the workforce because of this?
“As the nature of work and career is changing, developing and maintaining relationships is essential for securing employment.” Badoer, E. et al (2021)
“Competition for the best positions can be fierce. Having a strong network behind you can be the deciding factor. Remember that you and your allies are the driving force of your professional journey.” (Carlson, K. 2016)
If university students can’t network due to online learning how do we then secure employment with limited contacts and experience with building professional relationships?
Almost all students are experiencing this right now due to the Corona Virus pandemic forcing students to learn online. They have to actively think about employment options after graduating therefore, the topic is both timely and relevant for most students. 69.2% of students who answered the online poll said that they do believe that online learning has affected their chances of networking and they feel they are at a disadvantage going into the workforce because of this.
Networking is something some people do without realising when they are on campus because they make friends with people in similar degrees therefore building personal and professional relationships at the same time. This is why online learning has forced us to think about how we substitute these relationships and build connections for the future in this new environment.
Moving forward with this research will require exploration into more primary research of university students who feel they are disadvantaged because of online learning. This will include primary research into if these students are trying to network in other ways, if they feel this substantiates to face-to-face networking and how they believe they will try to seek employment after graduating with a lack of networking sources.
This is a relatively new area of research as there are no precedents of how a lack of networking due to online learning has affected students. Therefore, this research will not be definite in proving the points made but will be shown with primary research. Overall, this topic may be subject to reflexivity of my own beliefs and practices as I have always learnt face-to-face which means my research is based upon my own experiences with learning and building relationships in this way.
References:
B, Jacqueline. (2018) The Importance of Networking in College
Emilio Badoer, Yvette Hollings & Andrea Chester, 2021. Professional networking for undergraduate students: a scaffolded approach, Journal of Further and Higher Education, 45:2, 197-210
Carlson, Kathleen. (MSN, RN, CEN, FAEN) 2016. The Journal of Emergency Nursing, Building Relationships: The Power of Networking. Volume 42, Issue 4. P295.
Michael Page Employment Agency: Benefits of Networking
Small Business BC: Five Benefits of Networking
The Oxford Lexico Dictionary: Networking
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