American Education System: Peer Relationships & Networking
A Quick Guide to American Academia
In my final post of sharing what I’ve learned on my education journey that I wish all international students knew we’re going to get into the importance of making connections with people around you. And for reference, here are the other four sections we hit in the previous weeks:
Absolutism vs. Relativism (spoiler: America is pretty relativist)
Peer Relationships & Networking
Peer Relationships & Networking
One of the most undervalued benefits of going to an on-campus program is the connections you make. One obvious truth is that as humans, we are social beings and we need consistent, local social support if we are going to survive the years it takes to complete whatever degree. I am sure other blog posts will say more on that, but here I will focus on the professional value of networking.
At the end of your program, you and dozens (or maybe even thousands!) of other people will have the exact same credentials on paper. Whether we like it or not, many employers will hire graduates who have some connection to their organization or who come highly recommended by someone they trust. In other words, the more acquaintances you make, the more people can vouch for you in various contexts in future. This is especially true because as an international, you are already operating with a smaller network than your American peers. If you need/want to stay a while longer to gain experience with an OPT or even H1B visa, you will need to lay some groundwork to connect with people in your field and beyond because you never know what opportunities will emerge. Examples of ways to cultivate your network:
After you identify your core friends/friend group, continue to nurture your relationships with acquaintances - accept invitations to coffee or to people’s homes, give small gifts for occasions when you can, and host people if you can.
Join professional organizations and attend professional conferences & interact with professionals in your field of interest.
If you’re a social media person, stay up to date with groups and pages that have to do with your field. LinkedIn is a great resource for this.
Sieze opportunities to collaborate both within and beyond your institution (e.g., presentations or research projects).
Make cultivating relationships part of your personal job description when you have internships, practicums, or really anywhere you go (volunteering, your faith community, etc.).
“I’ve learned over time that though I may not be able to solve the problem of the person in front of me, I probably know someone who can.”
Lastly, this works both ways. So, if you hear of any interesting opportunities, even ones irrelevant to you, be sure to forward them to others who could benefit from them. When you meet people, be curious: “Are there any intersections in our goals?” Maybe they have a knowledge base you can learn from, but maybe you have just the connection they need to do what they’re trying to do. I’ve learned over time that though I may not be able to solve the problem of the person in front of me, I probably know someone who can. Many of our societies operate on word of mouth and good recommendations. American society, though highly structured, is no different.
NICOLE CHIKUNGWA • ZIMBABWE
Nicole has lived in Arkansas and Tennessee and is now toiling for a PhD in Clinical Psychology in California. She is an avid reader, she knits recreationally, and she sings (mediocrely) for fun. Nicole is in her element during long conversations and extended periods of solitude, but she can party like the best of them if the occasion calls for it.
