Five Ways to Grow Professional Relationships After College

Five Ways to Grow Professional Relationships After College

Olivia Kuban

For recent college graduates, it can be especially difficult to know where to begin when it comes to starting professional relationships. After four years of working towards earning a degree, many are putting all of their energy into beginning their careers while disregarding the necessity of growing a professional network. Not investing in business relationships is detrimental to long-term professional growth and limits opportunities.

As a recent graduate myself, I had the opportunity to ask global thought leader, author, and business relationship expert David Nour how to start the process. Nour gives five main points when it comes to building the relationships that will cultivate your career.

1. Keep in Touch with Your Classmates

After graduation, a lot of people make the easy mistake of losing contact with their classmates. The people you went to college with are a great base for the beginnings of a professional network. Purposefully developing existing contacts is also an excellent way to be introduced to new opportunities and other career-elevating people. “Just like your career is going to evolve, so are your classmates' careers,” Nour says. Networking through different social media platforms is a great way to stay relevant. Connecting on platforms such as LinkedIn may lead to professional opportunities from the very people you were once in a class with.

2. Stay Connected with Your School

Nour stresses the importance of going back to alumni events and keeping in touch with professors. “Your professors are going to do consulting work or they’re going to be on panels,” Nour explains. “If you stay in touch with them, they will find ways to bring you into opportunities.” Professors want to help you and see you grow. Staying connected with them can open doors to reinvest in your school and potential careers that would not have opened otherwise. Your alma mater, professors, and classmates are an invaluable resource. Don't waste it! 

3. Get Involved in Your Community

Becoming an active member of your community will help you grow and nurture your network while simultaneously gaining community insight. Nour advises getting involved with local politics, civic organizations, or anything else that you are passionate about that allows you to be a helpful presence. Being active in as many diverse groups that you can balance is key in increasing your reach in the community. Not only is community involvement great for networking, but it also allows you to give back to a greater cause. Intentionally prioritizing your community directly benefits those around you as well as your career.

4. Never Stop Learning

The importance of expanding your skillset and knowledge does not decrease after you earn your diploma. Attending conferences is a great way to learn from experienced professionals. While Nour speaks up to 60 times a year, he still attends at least one conference a quarter to develop his knowledge. Nour advocates that when listening to great speakers, you cannot help but learn. He further adds that “even the people you sit by [at conferences] become fantastic opportunities to learn and grow.” Another way to continue to progress your career skills is through intentional meetings with people both inside and outside of your field. Meeting with people of diverse professional backgrounds will provide insight into trends and upcoming opportunities. Learning from experienced mentors is vital for continued development and growth in your industry.

5. Always Have a Business Card and a Pen

Having a business card to give to those you connect with is a critical way to tangibly identify yourself among the noise of digital footprints. Business cards “become part of your chance to give and get and really invest in others,” Nour explains. Always having business cards and a pen on hand allows you to jot down contact information, take quick notes, and position yourself to be able to stand out among those without them. 

Capitalize on Your Opportunities

Nour emphasizes that while people often separate chapters of life into different buckets, life experiences allow for opportunities that should be taken advantage of regularly. While your career and life are evolving, do not leave college behind altogether. Capitalize on the relationships you started and the university you attended to prepare for a well-rounded future that will allow you to grow and give back.

“Really work on building. Your twenties and even your thirties are a good chance to build. Plant those seeds and really start building the early relationships that will then cultivate the rest of your career.”

Taking the time to invest in people is crucial for professional growth. People make time for what is important to them, so if flourishing in your career is important to you, relationships must reach the top of your priority list. Not only is networking about elevating your personal career, but it is about collaborating on ideas and contributing to other's success as well. If practiced intentionally, implementing Nour's advice will be a foundational part of your own career's success and those you engage with.
 

Listen to Nour's Beyond Speaking podcast episode to learn more about Nour and building relationships.

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To book David Nour for your next event, visit his profile: https://premierespeakers.com/david-nour

David is the author of multiple books including Relationship Economics: Transform Your Most Valuable Business Contacts Into Personal and Professional Success and Co-Create: How Your Business Will Profit from Innovative and Strategic Collaboration. To order copies in bulk for your event, please visit BulkBooks.com.