Your PR Career Starts with a Conversation: Networking Confidence in a Nutshell

Have you ever walked into the career fair with nothing but a resume and a dream — only to spend the first ten minutes pretending to check your phone, avoiding the connections you came there to make? 

If so, you’re not alone. According to data from Personnel Today, only one in four Gen Z professionals is confident in their networking skills, and 60% avoid networking events altogether. For a generation of students accustomed to the online world, networking in real time with no backspace option can seem daunting. 

The ability to pitch yourself and network with others is critical in any career. However, this skill is even more imperative for PR students hoping to succeed in an industry that’s built on its namesake: communication. 

Here are a few tips to help you connect with confidence:

Reimagine Networking

First, it's pivotal to understand that networking is just a glorified conversation. Once you shift your mindset and remove the pressure to perform, networking becomes less intimidating and far more approachable.

“Six tips: Networking for professional success” Via: Rosalind Early

In PR, we specialize in leading with what our audience cares about. This mentality can also be applied to networking. Remember that you’re talking to someone you’re curious about, and they’re likely more than happy to share about themselves.  

Show up with questions that reflect your interests and let them guide the conversation. A simple “How did you end up in this area of the industry?” or “What does a typical week look like in your position?” can do well to open up the discussion. 

Be sure to prepare, but don’t over-plan. One reason Gen Z might feel apprehensive about networking is the belief that it has to be perfectly scripted and transactional. Really, it’s the opposite. People value sincerity, so move past the uneasiness of performative small talk and embrace the realization that you’re simply speaking to another human being.

By focusing on active listening and showing genuine interest in what’s being said, you can turn the networking session you once dreaded into an authentic conversation. 

The same instincts you rely on in the communications field are exactly what you should tap into when embarking on your networking journey. 

“Active Listening at Work Isn’t Enough. It’s Time to Adapt.” Via: Nicole Lowenbraun 

Start Where You Are

Your networking confidence is like a muscle; it becomes stronger with reps. Start with the low-pressure opportunities closest to you as a college student. 

The future CEOs of the world are sitting next to you in class. Meet with peers in your major and invest in your professional relationships now while they’re most accessible. The more you practice these informal professional interactions, the less you’ll worry about the crucial conversations of tomorrow. Your future self will thank you. 

As a college student, you’re in an ideal position to set yourself up for success.  Leverage the experience and guidance of those who came before you, and take advantage of every resource available. 

For example, at the University of Florida, the Career Connections Center is the perfect place to sharpen your skills and strengthen your confidence. Located in the Reitz Union, this office conducts mock interviews, offers resume reviews and hosts career fairs. Make the most of these opportunities! Showing up for even just one professional development event or asking a question at an alumni panel can change the course of your career. 

“Career Connections Center” Via: University of Florida

Be Annoying (Professionally)

At some point, you’ll have to take the leap from making low-stakes connections to reaching out to someone who doesn’t already know you. This is one of the most important steps in finding success with professional networking. 

You’re entering the unfamiliar deep end of professional communication with no guarantee of attainment.  

Grow comfortable with the discomfort of receiving no response. Whether it’s an employee at a company you just applied to or an alum you hoped to learn more about, they’re likely receiving dozens of emails a day — making it easy for your message to be missed.

However, don’t be discouraged. The key to cold emailing is to be persistent and committed. Following up doesn’t seem desperate. It might just be the extra email that sets you apart from the many who reached out once and settled. 

Be bold and advocate for your career. 

The content of these cold emails is just as important as your persistence. The goal is to make the recipient’s job as easy as possible. Keep your thoughts clear and concise, expressing your intention in a few strong sentences. An impactful message is unique to who you’re reaching out to, so be specific. What about them piqued your interest? 

Once you’ve made your point, suggest a set of realistic next steps, such as a brief coffee chat or phone call, to continue flexing your relationship-building muscles. 

Every valuable professional connection starts somewhere — sometimes awkwardly. It’s normal to feel nervous about networking. Confidence grows through experience, especially by doing things you might not do perfectly at first. With consistent practice, both your network and your PR skills will grow. 

Start the conversation today and fill your future with people that inspire you.