Leveraging LinkedIn and Healthcare Network for Professional Connections

The Center for Career Development at Holy Cross College is a valuable resource for students seeking guidance on their future careers. This office provides a wealth of information and resources, including articles focusing on networking, maximizing summer experiences, and the importance of internships.

One of the key figures at the Center for Career Development is Pam Ahearn, the Manager of Employer Partnerships. She emphasizes the importance of networking, a process of building and maintaining professional relationships. Networking conversations can help gain clarity, expand professional networks, and enhance social capital.

When connecting with someone on LinkedIn, it's crucial to include a personalized note. This helps to make a lasting impression and increases the chances of a response. Holy Cross alumni can be identified through the alumni finder tool on LinkedIn, and the College's specific networking platform, the HC Network, connects students with over 4,000 alumni volunteers.

The HC Network allows students to pick a template and craft a message to alumni they wish to connect with. It also offers the "request a meeting" functionality, enabling students to let alumni know what day/time might work best for a conversation or meeting. Establishing an on-going relationship through emails, short notes, or occasional phone calls is key to building a network and potentially identifying mentors on the HC Network.

It's important to monitor the messaging tool on LinkedIn to respond to alumni and employer messages in a timely manner. A follow-up thank you email should be sent after a conversation or meeting on the HC Network, referring to any particularly interesting or useful information that was discussed. It's also important to keep track of conversations, including the date of the meeting, helpful comments, the names of any referrals, and the date that the thank you email was sent.

LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network with over one billion members, includes about 28,000 Holy Cross alumni. Many students may be unsure about the importance of internships, but the Center for Career Development offers assistance in finding and securing internships. They also provide articles about the benefits of internships.

In addition to networking and internships, the Center for Career Development offers resources to help students make informed decisions about their summer plans. They stress the importance of updating profiles regularly on both LinkedIn and the HC Network.

In conclusion, the Center for Career Development is an invaluable resource for Holy Cross students seeking to build their professional networks, secure internships, and make informed decisions about their future careers. By leveraging the power of networking and internships, students can set themselves up for success in the competitive job market.