12 Networking Strategies for Recent Graduates

2. Leverage University Career Centers and Handshake Platform

Your university career center and Handshake connect you to employers actively recruiting new grads and to alumni willing to help. Book a resume review and a mock interview with a career counselor before reaching out to recruiters; this prepares you to speak with confidence. On Handshake, follow company pages, set job alerts for "early career" roles, and RSVP to virtual career fairs. Use your school's alumni directories to request short informational conversations with alumni in relevant fields, and mention your campus connection in outreach messages. Many universities also post vetted internships and entry-level roles that don’t appear on larger boards, so check Handshake daily during peak hiring cycles. If your school offers alumni mentoring platforms, sign up and be active—mentors often pass along referrals for motivated, prepared students. Keep notes after each interaction so you can reference specifics in thank-you messages and future follow-ups.