<p>I am a college freshman who attends a non-target school in the Midwest, and I understand both that the most important network formed in college is with peers and that people who attend non-target schools need to network like crazy. Unfortunately, most of the people I go to school with don't have similar aspirations right now (not that it isn't good to network with them; everyone is worth including into your network, after all) and are content with staying in Minneapolis. I would like to build a network that includes students across the country, both from targets and non-targets, that can be used effectively in my professional career. Obviously, one of the best ways to do this is to join an interscholastic activity, but I'm not currently in one and don't plan on joining one at the moment. Are there any other ways to build a diverse network, perhaps over the internet, that would reach beyond the bounds of a single university?</p>
<p>Build a network with peers is good, yes, but networking with people in the industry you want to work in is what really matters. And that can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the field you’re in. Getting an internship related to what you want to do can be a good way to get your foot in the door at a company, which can give you experience that will help you get another job later and could give you opportunities to get contacts in your industry both in the company and potentially outside of it. If you want to move to another area, getting an internship, research experience, or whatever is appropriate for your career goals in the area where you would ultimately like to end up would be very helpful for networking purposes. Joining a professional organization in your field would also be helpful, if you get involved in it. Some associations have mentorship programs to pair up students and people in the field, some have listservs and message boards to discuss issues in the profession, some have scholarships or programs designed for students, and some have conferences that are great networking opportunities.</p>
<p>Also, check with your career services center. They may have tips on networking that can be more specific to your specific area or situation. You could also ask for advice from professors, although their expertise would likely be more in academia than in industry.</p>