Building Your Network as a New Professional: Reflections from the Field
by Sabrina Broderick (MSM ’25), Assistant Director of Mentoring and Alumni Personal & Career Development
Key Points: Networks grow best through genuine relationships. Focus on creating and maintaining connections with the people around you, and your network will naturally expand. And don’t forget: the APCDC has plenty of tools and opportunities to support you as you grow your community.
Building a network can feel daunting, especially when you’re just starting out in your career. While we have plenty of resources here at the Alumni Personal & Career Development Center (APCDC) on networking, relationship-building, and navigating the early stages of professional life (which you should absolutely check out!), I wanted to share a few personal reflections from my own recent experience.
For context, I’ve just started a new role here in Winston-Salem, and most of my closest friends and support system have moved away or remain in my hometown of NYC. So, I’m in the process of rebuilding – both professionally and personally.
Start with Who You Already Know
First and foremost, I had to remind myself that the people I connected with during college and grad school didn’t vanish the moment I graduated. Many of them have been more than happy to catch up over coffee or hop on a call. They still want to celebrate my wins and help me navigate challenges; this has not changed, even though my role did! Pro tip: nurturing the connections you already have (both personal and professional) is one of the easiest and most effective ways to strengthen your network as you settle into a new role.
Build Relationships, Not Just Contacts
While growing my professional network is definitely a priority, I’ve also found that strengthening my personal connections is just as important. When I reach out to new people, I try to lead with curiosity and a desire to get to know them as individuals, not just as potential professional assets. Approaching networking with the goal of forming authentic relationships—rather than just collecting names—has made the process more meaningful and less intimidating.
Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out
Starting my new role at the APCDC has also taught me that it’s totally okay to reach out to someone you’ve run into and ask if they’d like to grab coffee. I find it easiest to approach this from a place of friendship, but whether it’s a coworker or someone you’ve seen around the office, initiating that first conversation can go a long way. At best, you might make a new friend; at the very least, you’ll gain a contact in a different area who might help connect you to others in the future.
Case in point: I recently bumped into someone I’d seen around the office while grocery shopping. After a quick pep talk to myself, I introduced myself, mentioned that I also work at Wake, and asked if she’d like to meet for coffee sometime. She gave me her contact info, and now I’ve got a new friend and a professional connection!
Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage
LinkedIn has been another helpful tool for me as I grow my network. I’ve used it to reach out to other Wake Forest alumni in my field and set up curiosity conversations. A great place to start is by joining the Wake Forest Alumni group on LinkedIn – it has over 22,000 members! You can also check out our tools for building a strong LinkedIn profile and crafting effective outreach messages.
Don’t Forget APCDC Resources
Of course, we offer several structured ways to grow your professional network here at the APCDC. Consider signing up for our monthly coffee chats, where we match you with a fellow Wake alum for a one-on-one networking conversation. Even if they aren’t in your exact field, they may be able to connect you with someone who is. You can also take advantage of our webinars, industry chats, and other events designed to help you connect with professionals across a range of industries.