Networking 101: How to Build Professional Connections in College

Networking 101: How to Build Professional Connections in College

Networking is one of the most powerful tools for building a successful career, especially during your college years. As students, we often hear about the importance of networking, but the process can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not sure where to start. However, networking doesn’t have to be a formal, stiff interaction; it can be as simple as having a conversation with someone who shares your interests.

Whether you’re aiming for a career in public relations, marketing, or any other field, building connections during college can open doors for internships, job opportunities, and professional mentorship. Here are a few practical tips that have helped me, as well as others, successfully build meaningful connections.

 1. Get Involved in Campus Organizations

One of the easiest ways to meet people who share your passions is by joining student organizations and clubs. As a member of PRSSA and TPR, I’ve been able to not only meet peers with similar career goals but also engage with industry professionals who attend as guest speakers. These organizations provide a platform to learn from those with experience and to connect with students who could one day be colleagues or collaborators.

Treat your involvement in these organizations as if you were already in a professional environment. Be reliable, engage actively, and show your dedication—these qualities leave a lasting impression.

 2. Attend Industry Events and Workshops

Most schools offer industry-related events, guest lectures, and workshops. Whether it’s a guest speaker from the PR world or a resume-building workshop, these events give yo
u an opportunity to network in a low-pressure environment. Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to the speakers or other attendees. A simple question about their presentation or experience can spark a longer conversation and even lead to a future connection.

If you’re unsure of what to say, a good rule of thumb is to express genuine interest in their work and ask open-ended questions. You can say something like, “I really enjoyed your talk about crisis management in PR. How did you first get involved in that field?”

3. Utilize LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for professional networking. Start by creating or updating your profile to showcase your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and any relevant work experience. Connect with classmates, professors, and industry professionals you meet through internships, campus events, or networking mixers. Don't be afraid to reach out to someone with a short, personalized message expressing your interest in their work or asking for advice.

For example, after meeting a speaker at a campus event, you could send them a LinkedIn message saying, “Hi [Name], I really enjoyed your presentation on media relations at the PRSSA event last week. I’d love to connect and continue learning from your experiences in the industry.”

 4. Leverage Your Professors and Mentors

Professors aren’t just there to teach you—they can also be powerful networking resources. Many have years of experience in their respective fields and are connected with professionals in various industries. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors for advice on internships, career paths, or even to ask for introductions to industry contacts. Building a strong relationship with them can also lead to future recommendations or references.

Additionally, if your school offers a mentorship program, consider participating. A mentor can provide you with guidance, introduce you to key people in your field, and even help you navigate the challenges of building your career.

5. Volunteer and Intern

Volunteering and internships are fantastic ways to not only gain experience but also meet professionals who are already working in your field of interest. I had the opportunity to volunteer at Fountain Valley Hospital, where I gained insight into the healthcare sector and built connections with both staff and other volunteers. These experiences not only help you build your resume but also offer a chance to prove yourself and build lasting relationships with professionals who could offer future opportunities.

6. Follow Up and Stay Connected

One of the most important yet often overlooked parts of networking is following up. After meeting someone at an event or connecting with a professor or professional, make sure to follow up with a thank-you email or message. Let them know you appreciated their time and are interested in staying in touch. This small gesture can leave a strong, positive impression.

Staying connected doesn’t mean constantly checking in, but you should make an effort to maintain your relationships over time. Comment on their LinkedIn posts, send them a quick message if you see something that might interest them, or simply wish them well on career milestones. These small touches help keep the connection alive.

7. Don’t Be Afraid to Put Yourself Out There

Networking can sometimes feel daunting, especially if you’re more introverted or new to the process. However, the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Start small, by attending events or reaching out to people in your immediate circle. As you grow more comfortable, expand your network by attending larger events or engaging with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Remember, everyone was once in your shoes, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek advice, and build connections.

Building a network in college is one of the best investments you can make in your future career. Whether through student organizations, industry events, or internships, take advantage of the opportunities to meet people, learn from them, and form meaningful connections. Networking is not just about who you know, but how you engage and maintain those relationships over time. So put yourself out there, stay authentic, and embrace the journey!

How to make chicken flautas

I remember dinner being an important event growing up. Every night my siblings and I would have to sit at the table and enjoy a family meal together with our parents. My parents would cook together and make some of the most popular Mexican dishes we all know and love so much. My favorite dish until this day is chicken flautas which translates to chicken flutes due to the long thin shape of the rolled tortilla. It is accompanied by a side of beans, rice and salad. Adding condiments like homemade salsa, sour cream, and cheese makes the dish tastier. I don’t find myself in the kitchen often so luckily for me this dish is easy to make but delicious still. The hardest part is waiting for the chicken to cook. There are many ways to make these, but this is our recipe. Here is what you’ll need and how to make them.   

Ingredients: 

• 1 chicken breast 

• ½ tablespoon of salt 

• ½ an onion 

• 2 garlic cloves 

• 1 cup of vegetable oil 

• 10 tortillas 

Directions: 

1. Add your onion, garlic, and salt to a pot of boiling water. 

2. Add the chicken to the boiling water and let it cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour. 

3. Once it is cooked, remove the chicken from the water and let it cool. Once cool, shred the chicken and set aside. 

4. Grab tortillas and place them on a plate covered with a towel. Warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds so they can roll without breaking. 

5. Stuff the tortilla with shredded chicken and roll them. Add a toothpick to close the taco so that it won't open while frying. 

6. Add the taco to a pan with hot oil and fry until golden brown.  

   
   

   
   
   
   

Long Beach Grand Prix- a spectacle for all ages and demographics

 This past spring I had the opportunity to attend the races in Long Beach, California. The Grand Prix is a three-day event spanning the weekend of April 9-12th, near the strip of hotels in downtown Long Beach. Each day is its own full-fledged event with a different schedule for each. Friday was the practice session for the race cars, Saturday was the qualification round, and Sunday was the day of the actual race.  

At the Grand Prix, they have a full-fledged event with food and drink courtesy of food trucks and stalls, and even some refreshments complementary for attending. Nearly anywhere in the arena, you have access to savory items such as funnel cake, tacos, street dogs, and more. Besides that an entire expo hall was set up to showcase vendors, selling toy cars, racing memorabilia, and other products. 

The Grand Prix also had multiple areas set up with vehicles scheduled to perform later in the event. One such group was the stadium trucks parked outside the expo hall. Another was the drift cars, and next to those were the vintage indy cars

. So instead of simply getting to view them from afar, this event allows you to get close enough to touch them, making it a memorable experience.

For the main events, the day starts with historic Grand Prix racing. Indycars from the 60’s-80’s race around the GP circuit, and allow fans to admire them, and compare them to the ones of today. After that, we have IMSA practice races, where Porsches, Fords, and the like race, followed by modern Indycars for the primary race. The day isn’t over, however, as there are two non-competitive events, stadium truck racing and finally drifting. Between the ramp-jumping trucks and the squealing drifters, it's hard to say the event didn’t end on an exhilarating point.

Overall this was an enthralling experience for any motorsports fan or gearhead in general. It happens every year in April and is a great opportunity to bring family, friends, or significant others along. 

Attending The Barbie Movie Premiere

 Last summer, I was lucky enough to attend the Barbie Movie world premiere in Los Angeles. Like many others, I grew up playing with Barbies so getting to see the movie with all the stars in attendance was a dream come true. The energy alone at the premiere was amazing, but the set design was better. The premiere was at the Shrine Auditorium where many other famous Hollywood blockbuster premieres have been held. As I got closer to the theater, the more pink I was surrounded by. Fans, influencers, and celebrities embraced the pink as everyone was wearing the beautiful color, myself included. I made sure to feel and look like a Barbie before leaving the house. 

I saw so many celebrities, the first one being Flo from Progressive with the Duolingo mascot. The closer it got to the actual movie showing, the more celebrities/influencers I saw. While waiting to get inside, I can proudly say I successfully took a selfie with Sky Jackson, mostly known for being on Disney Channel some time ago. I also got to meet and take selfies with two other social media influencers while waiting, Steven Lim and Benito Skinner. 

The premiere was made for everyone, many adults were in attendance and I only saw some children who came with their families. It was amazing to see the cultural impact Barbie has had on different generations. Now, all together to celebrate Barbie's first showing on the big screen. 

Before the movie started, an introduction to the director and cast of the movie was demonstrated. It was amazing to hear directly from Greta Gerwig as she talked about how special the movie was to her and how excited she was for all of us to see it. It was also super cool to see Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Kate Mckinnon, Issa Rae, America Ferrera, Michael Cera, and more cast-mates
on the stage. It felt so special to watch the movie with the people who created it. I am also a HUGE fan of Nicki Minaj so I was especially excited to be sitting in the same room as her. 

The movie was of course amazing and even brought some tears to my eyes at some points. I still have my tickets saved in my pink envelope with the complimentary pink popcorn that was also handed out to guests. When leaving, I was super lucky to get a quick picture with one of the Kens, Simu Liu. I had so much fun and will always remember that day. 

A Journey Through the Lavender Festival

This past summer I was able to visit the very popular Lavender Festival in Cherry Valley California. The Lavender Festival at 123 Farms runs from early spring to late summer, then takes a short break before returning for the festive Lavender Nights, complete with holiday decorations from early fall to late winter.  The festival allows for you to enjoy the beautiful lavender fields and try a variety of delicious treats perfect for lavender lovers. While I was there, I had the chance to walk through the fields and take in the festivals beautiful landscape. It was also the perfect opportunity to capture stunning aesthetic photos. From there I was able to go on a guided tour where I learned about the history of the fields and how they grow and care for their lavender.

The festival also features a delightful selection of delicious foods to enjoy after your tour, with food courts beautifully set among nature. Here, you can savor a wide array of lavender infused items, including refreshing drinks, cocktails, a lavender burger, sourdough pizza with lavender, and desserts ranging from lavender funnel cakes to lavender ice cream. As you enjoy your meal, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, accompanied by live music from the festival's talented band, creating the perfect relaxing and memorable experience. There are also various items, ingredients and more that you can buy from there abundant array of souvenir shops on the property. Here, you can find cookbooks that will help you recreate the delicious foods offered at the festival, along with a variety of ingredients, including their signature lavender syrup. The shops also feature a delightful selection of items, such as lavender essential oils, charming lavender-colored tote bags, soothing lavender soaps, and much more. 

The festival also has a flower shop where you can create your own lavender bouquet along with a selection of preserved bouquets you can take home and cherish forever. This was a fantastic and enjoyable experience that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves lavender. From the breathtaking fields to the delicious treats every aspect was great to explore. I am also already looking forward to my next visit and can’t wait to immerse myself in the beauty and magic of the festival once again.

The Ohtani Effect

Having attended numerous Dodger games this season, one thing is abundantly clear: the acquisition of Shohei Ohtani is not just significant but historic. Baseball fans flock to Dodger Stadium, fully aware they are part of a momentous chapter in the sport's history. Each time Ohtani steps up to the plate, fans rise to their feet, eagerly anticipating a chance to capture a piece of this historic journey on their phones.

While most people at the stadium are long-time fans of the team, Ohtani's arrival reached a new, diverse demographic. Japanese locals and tourists are coming out to the games in waves. Families of all ages fill the seats, many sporting jerseys with the number 17 on the back, some even bearing Ohtani's name in Japanese, a testament to his global appeal.

In response to the influx of Japanese fans, the Dodgers have made some changes. Food at the stadium includes Japanese menu items such as takoyaki (octopus balls), sake, chicken katsu sandwich, kurobuta pork sausage dogs, kurobuta yakisoba dogs, miso ginger salad, and chicken katsu bowl. Japanese symbols and characters decorate the helmets and cups of food. Another change is the addition of Japanese-language stadium tours.

The true extent of Ohtani's popularity becomes most apparent during promotional giveaways. With only the first 50,000 fans in attendance eligible for the giveaway item, arriving early to the stadium is a norm. For the Ohtani bobblehead giveaways, fans marched to the stadium as early as eleven in the morning for a game that didn't start until 7:10 p.m. The bobbleheads are sold on websites like eBay for hundreds of dollars, further highlighting the fanbase's dedication.

Although Ohtani's ability as a two-way player made him stand out, he did not pitch this season—instead, his offense as a designated hitter brought fans out to the game. In a historic record-breaking season, Ohtani has 53 home runs and 55 stolen bases. Ohtani will make his first appearance in the post-season of his career as a Dodger. With his popularity in full swing and a global audience behind him, it's time for October baseball!

Having a Healthy Lifestyle as a College Student

  The life of college students is often described as late-night study sessions, parties, or even the occasional all-nighter. Between balancing school, work, friends, and a home life, it can be challenging to maintain a healthy lifestyle on top of it all. Prioritizing your well-being is essential not just for physical health, but it can improve academic performances and overall happiness.

    While I have aimed to stay healthy throughout my four years in college, my friend and fellow Cal State Fullerton student, Kenzi Arnold, is an excellent example of the advantages a healthy lifestyle has for college students. Kenzi is a fourth year student at CSUF majoring in Child and Adolescent Studies. Throughout her four years, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA while working a job and training for her numerous Spartan and DEKA races. According to Arnold, she has a few important tips and routines that she practices to keep her on a routine and on the right track. 

Her first tip is to get moving, incorporating any kind of physical activity during the day helps Kenzi stay motivated each day. That can look different depending on the person, can be going on a simple walk around your neighborhood, checking out the campus gym, taking a workout class, or finding a buddy or group to workout with. For Kenzi, she trains with a personal trainer and a group that helps her stay focused on her goals. Arnold says, “When I started training in a group, I felt the most supported and motivated, I was able to meet my goals while being surrounded by support.” 

Another tip Kenzi uses to help her motivation is creating a sleep schedule. Sleep is often overlooked or sacrificed in college, but it is an important component for health and academic success. Kenzi implements a sleep schedule between Monday and Friday that allows her to wake up by 7:30 A.M. each morning. Kenzi says “Waking up early each morning is a commitment, but gets me up and going each day.” 

The last tip Kenzi suggests for keeping a healthy lifestyle in college is prioritizing nutrition in your diet. Kenzi does not stick to a strict diet, but rather she plans her meals and chooses healthier alternatives to snacking. Eating three meals throughout the day helps the body stay energized. While it can be hard to make meals in college, it is important to find options that are right for you.

 

Kenzi recently used all of these methods to help her train and compete in her fourth spartan race in Anaheim, CA. The race consisted of running three miles though Angel’s Stadium with twenty obstacles mixed in the running. The weeks of training and preparing helped Kenzi train for the race while still maintaining her social college life. Remember, it is all about finding a balance!

Girl's Weekend in Palm Springs: A Desert Getaway Guide

Whether you're seeking poolside relaxation, or an adventurous getaway filled with sightseeing and shopping, Palm Springs is the ultimate destination for a getaway trip. Every summer, my best friends and I have our annual Palm Springs vacation, and I'd love to share some of our favorite activities, places to stay, eat, and shop.

Choosing the right place to stay is key as much of your time is spent enjoying the comfort of your accommodation. Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Resort has by far been my favorite place to stay. I enjoyed sleeping in free from the worries of daily life, and waking up to the breathtaking view of the mountains stretching across the desert horizon. My friends and I would gather to cook breakfast, whipping up the most buttery, fluffy pancakes while chatting about the day's adventures ahead. It felt like the ideal life—carefree mornings spent cooking with friends, surrounded by stunning views, and savoring each moment without a worry in the world. This resort is ideal for lounging with your friends, it offers leisure amenities, a pool just steps from the room, and the perfect blend of home comforts and Palm Springs luxury.

More Iconic Spot Suggestions:

• The Parker
• Korakia Pensione
• The Westin Desert Willow Villas

One of the highlights of a Palm Springs trip is the opportunity to relax by the water under the desert sun meanwhile enjoying a refreshing drink. This is the perfect time to unwind, sun-bathe while enjoying the beautiful desert landscaping, catching up, and taking pictures.

In addition to lounging by the pool, a trip to Palm Canyon Drive is an absolute must! This shopping district is the heart of Palm Springs', it offers a delightful mix of high-end boutiques, vintage shops, and mouthwatering restaurants. Throughout our visit, it's tradition to have an adventure day starting with brunch at FARM, where the poached eggs are so perfectly done, they practically melt in your mouth. After brunch, we make a mandatory coffee stop at Cafe La Jefa to fuel up for a day of shopping. Sephora is always the first stop, followed by H&M, and we wrap up the day by exploring the antique shops, hunting for one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

More things to do:

• Hike Indian Canyon
• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
• Spa Day at Sec-he

Finding the best spots to eat is crucial on every trip and Palm Springs never disappoints. Every meal I have had in each of my visits are delicious. Below are some of the best restaurants in Palm Springs that you should try.

• Brunch at FARM
• The Heyday
• Birba

Palm Springs is the ultimate destination for a getaway, offering the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re sunbathing by the pool, indulging in spa treatments, or exploring the desert, every moment is an opportunity to create unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Don't forget to use this guide if you plan on visiting Palm Springs next summer!