Admissions Enquiry open for the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) Program for the Academic Year 2023 - 2024.
There is an amazing African proverb that says, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. This is a very important thing that Post Graduate Diploma in Management students must learn during their academic days. When stepping into the corporate world, as an employee or an entrepreneur, you need to connect and collaborate with people from the industry who can help and guide you. The skill of building professional connections, or networking, is essential for landing big jobs and advancing your career.
In this blog, we will talk about how PGDM students can, throughout their 2-year course span, make relationships with industry people or experts. We will provide some practical tips that can help you network like a pro.
Table of Content
- Recognising the benefits if networking in PGDM
- Networking techniques that are effective for PGDM students
- Questions you can ask to initiate a conversation
- Conclusion
Recognizing the Benefits of Networking in PGDM
Networking is more than just meeting people; it’s about building genuine relationships with individuals who can provide insightful advice, chances, and encouragement. Through networking, PGDM students can engage with peers, instructors, industry professionals, and alumni, broadening their knowledge, abilities, and prospects. There are many advantages that networking provides for Post Graduate Diploma in Management students, such as:
1. Access to Job Opportunities
Whenever an organisation has a job vacancy, they usually fill the position through referrals and networking rather than standard job postings. Having a strong network within the industry can make PGDM students a strong candidate for job openings.
2. Industry Insights
Being in contact with industry people will keep students informed about market dynamics, industry trends, and career pathways. Students pursuing a course in PGDM can stay informed about pertinent changes and make well-informed career decisions by interacting with experts.
3. Providing Guidance and Support
During the college years, students have a lot of potential, and it becomes very necessary to guide and mentor that potential into success. Mentors can share their experiences, give insightful counsel, and offer assistance in overcoming obstacles in the workplace.
4. Professional Development
Networking makes it easier to acquire new skills and continue learning. Interacting with industry experts exposes students to new ideas, best practices, and developing technology, enhancing their professional competence and flexibility.
Networking Techniques That Are Effective for PGDM Students
Even though networking can be intimidating, particularly for those who are introverted, the correct approaches can help make the process more enjoyable and manageable. Networking Techniques can be divided into on-campus networking and off-campus networking.
On-Campus Networking
1. Attend Networking Events
Make the most of the opportunities for networking provided by professional associations or your own institution. Top PGDM-offering colleges organize workshops and events where students get a chance to learn and communicate with students.
2. Join as Event Crew Members
Get involved with student organizations, societies, and clubs that are relevant to your area of interest. AICTE-approved PGDM colleges regularly organise events and functions for the sake of education and entertainment. For example, if you are a member of a committee that organized a guest lecture, you will have the best chance to communicate with the experts.
3. Interact with Alumni Networks
For PGDM students, alumni networks can be a great source of information. Many institutions have alumni portals where students can look for alumni and their job profiles. They also organize alumni talks where past students are invited to share their experiences of the corporate world. Meeting them and having a conversation can be of great help to students in their careers.
Off-Campus Networking
1. Make use of Online Platforms
To grow your network outside of university, make use of professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Establish a strong online presence by sharing your qualifications, experiences, projects, and desired career path. Reach out to recruiters, alumni, and influential people in the field.
2. Cold Emailing
If there is one thing that every student must learn, it’s the art of crafting cold emails. Cold email is the process of sending a personalized email to someone you have never actually connected with. End cold emails to industry experts or to renowned companies where you dream of working.
3. Internships
During your internship, ensure you build strong relationships with your colleagues and leaders. Maintaining a strong relationship with them can even help you get a full-time job opportunity after the completion of your PGDM course.
3 Effective Networking Tips to Start Networking
Build a Networking Mindset
When you network with people, it’s important that you give more priority to building a strong relationship than looking for immediate gains. For example, be an active listener or help people within your network without expecting anything in return.
Personalize Your Email
Crafting a personalized message according to the recipient’s interests and needs. This will improve the chance of you actually getting a reply, which is the first step to networking.
Follow-Up
Personalize your follow-up messages and respond as soon as possible. Ensure that you don’t sound too aggressive; rather, send follow-up messages that are genuine and something that adds value. When following up, use a variety of methods while honoring the recipient’s choices.
Now let’s have a look at a few questions that you can ask during the networking event which can improve your chance of building a strong professional relationship with other professionals.
Questions you can Ask to Initiate a Conversation at Seminars
Say you are a PGDM in Finance student attending a seminar on ‘FinTech’ or ‘Future of Finance’. If the seminar is not organised by your institution, there is a high chance that you may not know many of the people present there. Initiating a conversation with a complete stranger can get overwhelming. Here are a few questions that can help irrespective of the PGDM Program Specialization:
- How long have you been working in the sector?
- What changes do you think the industry will experience in the next decade?
- What are the best skills needed to succeed in the sector?
- From which company did you complete your graduation?
- How will the introduction of AI tools change the sector?
- Can I get in contact with you after this event?
These are some common questions that can get the conversation going, but it is also important to remember that meeting the first person and asking the first question will be the toughest. Trust me, it only gets better from there.
NOTE: Don’t directly jump into networking questions. Start with introducing yourself and have a small talk before asking these questions. Not all individuals will be interested in conversing with you and that is OKAY. Find someone else to talk to.
Conclusion
For PGDM students looking to advance their careers and seize new chances, networking is a vital skill. Students can create a strong professional network that supports their long-term success by using resources, developing genuine relationships, and implementing successful networking techniques. Remember, networking is about creating lasting relationships based on trust, respect, and common interests rather than merely trading business cards. Accept networking as a lifetime skill and make the investment to build connections that will advance both your professional and personal development goals.
If Business, Management, or Entrepreneurship interests you, a PGDM from Thakur Global Business School (TGBS) can be the best decision for your professional development. We at TGBS update our curriculum annually to align our teachings with new industry trends. Being in Mumbai, TGBS has great connectivity with both railways and roadways. Check out our website to learn about PGDM eligibility, fee structure, faculty members, events, and hostel services.
