networking

Aims

Explain the term networking.
Help you understand why it is important.
Help you look for networking opportunities.

What does networking mean?

Networking is the act of making connections, whether it is with people, companies or organisations. As a creative arts student you should always be looking out to create opportunities with the aim of extending your professional networks.

Why is it important?

Networking can be vitally important to your career, you can never be sure who you will meet at various events, it is therefore always best to be prepared to either gather contact information or pass yours on. Finding jobs through the people you meet is very common in the creative industries, so get yourself out there!

How to do it?

There are many ways that you can as a creative arts student can start to network. The following are a few networking examples to help get you started.

Your peers
You may not have realised but you are already part of a large network of creative people, whether it is students, tutors, lecturers or technicians. Tutors, lecturers and technicians in particular will most likely have plenty of contacts, some of which may have shown an interest in recruiting graduates.
Subject specific organisations
Each area of the arts has its own organisations, nearly all have a strong following of like minded individuals with a wealth of knowledge. The following is a small number of organisations that you could opt to join. Some have a membership fee so you should be clear of what is being offered before joining.
Gallery Events
You should attend gallery events as often as possible. These types of events draw similar minded people together to one location and can be a great way to meet people with similar interests to yourself, by mixing with them you can hear about opportunities that you might otherwise miss.
Community Websites
There are plenty of community websites related to your specialism on the internet, they do vary in quality, so you should be sure to check out what you’re signing up to.
Competitions and Shows
Competitions often have shows after them, which entrants or winners can attend. These types of gathering attract industry professions who are often seeking to recruit creative talent, only by participating can you be noticed.
Work Experience / Volunteering
These are obvious to gain contacts which you can use when you start looking for work. The company you worked for may well employ you again, or be able to provide you with information regarding possible work opportunities.

Useful tools

There are many things that can help you network. These are:

Business Cards
Business cards are a very useful way of passing on your details to people that you meet at events you attend. You should carefully consider its design, as it is often the very first item of promotion material people will see.
Mobile Phone
Your mobile phone is your primary form of contact in most cases, if you give it out you should make sure that the answer phone message is appropriate.
Email
If you are giving your email out to individuals or companies it wise to have an email address that looks professional, if possible have an email that is attached to your website, avoid using your personal email if it has a peculiar name.
Community Website
If you are unable to find a suitable or related community website, why not start your own. Although very hard work, especially if you are not web orientated, you can raise your profile massively.

Activities and Checklists

Download the Network activity here

Download the Business Card activity sheet here

Download the Business Card feedback form here