Networking: It Doesn't End in May

Think summer is the perfect opportunity to lounge by the pool while catching up on the latest Kardashian gossip?  Well, guess again.  The final exams and term papers may be over (for now) but there are some responsibilities that don’t end with the spring semester. Summer break is ideal for maintaining and building relationships through networking.

It’s important to keep in touch with the contacts you’ve made throughout the school year.  At the end of the day, it’s much easier to maintain relationships with PR professionals than continually create new ones.  Sending an email or a tweet to continue your communication with a contact is simple and meaningful.

Use the free time to your advantage.  Instead of watching three seasons of How I Met Your Mother in one sitting, spend your time doing something that will be beneficial to you in the long run.  The summer is full of outdoor events and festivals; get your name and face out in the industry by working as a volunteer. The Electric Run and Wawa Welcome America! are two great Philadelphia events that are always looking for PR volunteers.

If you’re spending your break at a summer internship, get the most out of the experience by requesting a one-on-one meeting with your supervisor or employer.  If you’re interested in continuing your professional career with the organization, they will be the best resource you have for advice so an informational interview is ideal.  This not only builds your relationship but it shows you are serious and committed to the organization.

Finally, if you have a PR professional in mind that you’d like to contact in the future, summer is a great time to prepare.  Do some research on their current position and the agency or organization they work for so you are ready to connect with them when you step back on campus in the fall.

Most people use the summer as a break from their academic and professional responsibilities, which makes it the perfect time to create new contacts and stand out from the crowd.  So put down the tabloids, pick up your business cards and get to summer networking!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Jaime Martorana.