Networking can start with being curious about someone’s work. You don’t need a perfect résumé or a room full of contacts to ask a useful question.
Start with someone you can place
Think of a professor, advisor, classmate, former coworker, or person you met at an event. Choose someone whose experience connects to one question you have. The goal is a conversation you can learn from.
Make a small, clear request
Try: “I’m exploring [field] and noticed your experience with [specific work]. Would you be open to a short conversation about how you got started? I’d especially like to understand [question].” Adapt this to your relationship. Give them room to decline.
Prepare before an introduction arrives
Have a recognizable photo, your school or current role, and a simple description of what interests you. When someone introduces you, read the other person’s profile and write down one thing you’re curious about. Reply with a clear next step.
Make the follow-through useful
Thank them for one specific thing you learned. If you said you would send something, send it. If their advice helped you take a step, a brief update can keep the relationship alive. An introduction creates a chance to connect, not a promise of a job or opportunity.
Your next useful move
Choose one person and write one question you’d like to ask them.
Put this into practice
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