Alumni Advice: Networking Requests
Reaching out to someone new to ask a question, request an informational interview, or learn about a job opportunity can be intimidating. The St. Thomas alumni network is full of people who are eager to make these networking connections. We asked alumni on St. Thomas Connect “What advice do you have for Tommies sending introductory networking request messages on St. Thomas Connect or LinkedIn? How can they make a good impression, and get a response?” Check out their words of wisdom below!
Interested in getting more alumni advice? Search for alumni on St. Thomas Connect who have volunteered to support your career journey.
Choose with Intention
“Be intentional about who you reach out to and why you are connecting with them – make the best use of your time, and of their time. If you reach out to someone to network and they respond, be sure you hold up your end of the interaction. People will remember a good interaction, and they will also remember an interaction with a person who reached out and was then difficult to connect with, or worse, chose to not respond and engage.” – Daniel Hildebrandt
“Identify areas of interest, or areas of concern and anxiety. Ask specific questions about these things, and you will get specific answers that may be helpful.” – Mark Dittman
“Try looking at people’s LinkedIn to see what they do professionally and their interests. Case and point, one Tommie sent me a personalized introduction hitting on my interests and requested to connect on consulting (my profession), Accenture (my consulting firm), and financial services (my area of expertise). As a result, I’ve introduced this individual to 20+ folks in my network and referred him for an internship at Accenture. I still keep in touch with this Tommie and feel comfortable introducing him to executive/senior level leadership at Accenture and other Fortune 500 companies.” – Conor Marrinan
Be Clear and Concise
“We are eager to talk to you! Begin with an introduction of yourself, including your major, college level (freshman, sophomore, etc.), and a bit about why you are reaching out and what you want to achieve. Providing us with a bit of foundational information and a general direction for how we can help you will help our time together be most productive.” – Julie Luker
“Keep the message concise and structured; separate out paragraphs; have an introductory sentence; and make sure to state clearly your ask/request. You want to essentially make navigating and reading through your message as painless as possible, and a concise, structured, and well-organized message can reflect very well on you as a potential candidate and connection.” – Eshan Varma
“Tell me what your major is, interest area for jobs after graduation and experience so I can tell you right away if I can help or suggest you talk to a friend of mine instead.” – Jennifer Greenquist
“I love hearing from students, and I am amazed by the underutilization of the resource. I would suggest students take the first step and start out with a simple “Hi, I am student at the University of St. Thomas study X. I am interested in learning more about Y. Please drop me a note when you get a chance. Thanks in advance for your help.” – Daniel Thorman
“Be genuine and be direct. No need to elaborate too much, just get to the point. No need to sell yourself. The best thing you can do is approach this outreach with a “learning” attitude. Example: I’m trying to learn about XYZ industry. I’d really love to learn about what you do at XYZ company. Would you have 10 minutes to chat about XYZ. Humble, Direct, come from a place of understanding, and it will be received well. You will increase your chances. If you go into it with comments about what you’ve done, or what you’re doing, I find that less effective. Let’s literally just get to know each other, and what each of us are interested in professionally, and then we can take the convo from there. Good luck, be yourself. I’m also trying to learn about you.”
Casey Holley
Make it Personal
“Try and personalize your introduction message to whomever you’re reaching out to. Tommies are more than willing to connect with you and help you navigate life post UST, but it’s difficult to assist when students rely too heavily on the provided template.” – Conor Marrinen
“Most St. Thomas students were involved on campus whether they were in a sport, a club, or social group. Don’t be afraid to mention where or what organization you’re involved with, we can all relate to being busy with extra curriculars as a student. Do your best to make a real connection, as those will always work better than just a well-written resume or cover letter.” – Ted Duff
“Our fields are small worlds, and it’s not always what you know but also who you know to break in or even grow in the field. If you miss a connection today, and need that person’s help again in the future, what will they remember from your first encounter, being frustrated you didn’t complete the connection, or being invested in your future? Your future is yours to control, so get out there and make the connections!”
Leigh Hartenberg
Remember, Tommies Help Tommies
“People love talking about themselves and helping students. Almost everyone is more than happy to grab coffee with you to chat about what they do and answer any questions you may have. If you are in sales/business development, don’t throw in an ‘ask.’ Try to throw in a ‘give’ like a ‘please let me know if there is anyone I can connect you with.”‘ – Maureen Michels
“I know networking (especially for the first time) can be daunting and intimidating but know that former Tommies are ALWAYS willing to help current Tommies.” – Conor Marrinan
“Your St. Thomas Connect mentors have signed up to help you! In most cases, we can relate to your academic and job search challenges. I recommend providing a brief message stating who you are, your major, your career goals and when you plan to graduate as a way of painting a picture for your mentor. Follow that with your questions or concerns. Being informative, yet brief, will create a great first impression.” – Tom Fischer
“When reaching out to mentors, remember that many people genuinely want to help others succeed. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek advice, even if you think your concerns might seem small or unclear. Mentors understand that learning and growth come from curiosity and uncertainty, so don’t overthink your approach. Whether it’s about academics, career advice, or personal development, simply be honest about what’s on your mind. Chances are, they’ve been in your shoes before and will appreciate your initiative in seeking guidance. Most successful folks didn’t get to where they are on their own, they too had many mentors along their journey.”
Jay Rajaratnam
Overall, remember that reaching out to network can be scary at first, but it is so worth it! Reaching out to alumni through platforms like St. Thomas Connect or LinkedIn can be a valuable way to build connections, gain insights, and advance your career. By being intentional, clear, and personal in your approach, you can make a positive impression and foster meaningful relationships. Remember, Tommies are eager to help other Tommies succeed—so don’t hesitate to take the first step. Keep your messages concise, genuine, and focused on learning, and you’ll find that most alumni are more than willing to offer guidance, advice, and support.
Reach out to the Career Development Center at career@stthomas.edu with any questions or requests!
