Maximizing your Maximizing your experienceexperience

Danielle EpsteinGraduate Advisor, Career Services

Today’s Topics:Today’s Topics:Developing your personal networkEffective networking practicesWhat to expect on Mustang Mentoring

DayHow to make the most of the

opportunity

Developing your personal networkDeveloping your personal network

Phase 1: Self awarenessPhase 1: Self awareness“Knowing Why“Knowing Why”

Strengths, goals, needs, areas for improvement

Key question: Why do I do what I do and how do I do it?

Your potential developersYour potential developers

Friends_______________________________________

Teachers/Advisors

__________________________

Church/Club

__________________________

Current job/volunteer work

__________________________

YOU Neighbors/Community

__________________________

Family_____________________________________________

Phase 2: Relational SavvyPhase 2: Relational Savvy“Knowing How”“Knowing How” Proactivity Managing interactions Building relationships Adept social skills Key question: To what extent do I enlist

other people in my learning and development and how effectively do I nurture those relationships?

Phase 3: Your developmental Phase 3: Your developmental networknetwork “Knowing Whom”“Knowing Whom”

Network structure unique to individual needs Should include senior, junior and peer

contacts Consider strength of tie and diversity Key question: What is the nature of my

current network and how might I enrich it?

Mustang Mentoring Day:Mustang Mentoring Day:What to expectWhat to expect

Event Schedule9:00 - 9:30 Breakfast9:30 - 10:30 Welcome and Introduction10:30 - 11:00 Large Group Discussion11:00 - 12:00 Speed Mentoring Session12:00 - 12:45 Lunch12:45 - 1:45 1:1 Mentor Meetings1:45 - 2:00 Closing

Making the most of the opportunity: Making the most of the opportunity: tips for successtips for success

Be appreciative and polite Be confident and enthusiastic Never bad mouth others Use your “elevator pitch” Maintain eye contact and good non-verbal

communication Turn off your cell phone Dress for success Use common sense and be self-aware, and you’ll do

great!!

Make a Positive First Make a Positive First (and Lasting) Impression(and Lasting) Impression

The HandshakeThe Handshake Keep your right hand free Shake “web to web” The handshake should not last longer than the

greeting Avoid hand over hand, touching, or patting Shows interest, respect and sets the tone for the

conversation Shake firmly enough to display confidence without

being a “bone crusher”

After the event…After the event… Take the initiative in following up with mentors with

whom you would like to continue a relationship Find out how your developers like to be

communicated with (phone, email) Respond to all emails and phone calls from

developers within 24 hours Make sure your email address is appropriate Use the event LinkedIn group but think about it

before you decide to “friend” your developers on Facebook

Want to talk more about Want to talk more about how to prepare?how to prepare?

Contact me at Career Services for 1:1 coaching!

depstein@calpoly.edu