Event networking tips and templates for students in 2025
Networking as a student can feel overwhelming, especially if you're just getting started. But the truth is, great networking isn’t about being the loudest or most experienced person in the room. It’s about preparation, authenticity, and follow-through.
Yet, our Big State School Survey 2025 revealed that a staggering 82% of working-class students feel intimidated at employer networking events — not because they lack ambition, but because these spaces often reflect unfamiliar rules, formality, and social expectations. The result? Over half (56%) leave events early, feeling overwhelmed rather than empowered.
This guide exists to change that. Whether it’s your first time at a networking event or you’re looking to level up your approach, you’ll find practical strategies, real conversation openers, and actionable advice for before, during, and after the event — all designed with you in mind.
Together, we’ll cover:
How to prepare for a networking event with clear goals, smart research, and a polished LinkedIn profile
What to say and do on the day — including real conversation starters, confidence tips, and body language cues
How to follow up after the event and turn short conversations into long-term professional connections
1. Before the event: laying the groundwork
The most effective networkers don’t just show up to events, they come prepared. The reality is, you can make a stronger impression in five minutes of conversation if you’ve done your homework beforehand. That starts with understanding who will be at the event and what you want to get out of the day.
Start with research
Before any networking event, carve out at least 45 minutes to learn about the speakers, companies, and any special guests. Most event pages will have a schedule, list of exhibitors or panels, and often links to speakers’ bios.
Use this information to dig a little deeper, especially for people you think you might want to speak with and have a genuine interest in. The best way to do this is to check their LinkedIn profile, read an article they’ve written, or look up their current company to see what kind of roles or projects they’re working on that overlap with yours.
Know what you want to get from the event
Every student attends an event for a different reason. Perhaps you’re looking for internships, maybe you're trying to meet alumni, maybe you just want to get more comfortable in professional settings. There’s no wrong answer, but you do need to understand your why.
Ask yourself: What would make this event worth it for me? Is it having one meaningful conversation? Learning something I can’t Google? Hearing from someone whose background reflects mine?
Setting even a loose intention like, “I want to meet someone working in data journalism,” gives you direction and prevents you from wandering through a networking space aimlessly.
Set up your LinkedIn
If you haven’t created a LinkedIn profile yet, this is your sign.
In 2025, LinkedIn is more than a job board. It’s a living professional CV, a way to stay in touch after events, and a place to express your interests and personality beyond your degree title.
We’re huge advocates of the fact you don’t need to have five internships listed to make a strong impression. Your summary should simply explain what you’re studying, what you're curious about, and what kinds of opportunities you're open to. That alone puts you miles ahead of the average undergrad profile.
If you're unsure where to begin, we’ve curated a guide to LinkedIn tips for students in 2025.
2. During the event: showing up as your authentic self
When the day of the event arrives, just remember that most important thing you can bring with you is presence. Not polished scripts. Not buzzwords. Just your real self, your curiosity, and a willingness to connect and learn.
Don’t cling to your comfort zone
It’s tempting to stick to familiar faces or hover in the corner checking your phone, especially if you came with friends. But every networking event is an opportunity to stretch just a little and expand your network.
Our advice is to set a soft challenge for yourself: speak to three people you’ve never met, for example. It could be someone at a table, someone standing alone with a drink, or someone asking a question during a Q&A. The more you practice these low-stakes interactions, the easier the bigger ones become.
It’s helpful to have a few openers ready, but they don’t need to sound overly formal or rehearsed. Try something like:
“Hi, I don’t think we’ve met — I’m [Your Name], studying [Your Subject]. What brought you to the event today?”
“I caught the panel on sustainable business earlier — did you attend that one?”
“Hi, I’m [Your Name] — I’ve been trying to meet people outside my course today. What are you studying or working on?”
It’s not about saying the perfect thing. It’s about being willing to put yourself out there and engage, and open-ended conversation starters are a great way to ease yourself into those deeper conversations.
Introduce yourself clearly and sincerely
When you start a conversation, especially with professionals or speakers, lead with a simple, warm intro. Say your name, what you’re studying, and something relevant — whether it’s a talk you just heard or something you know they’ve worked on.
Here’s an example of a confident, but natural, introduction:
“Hi, I’m Zara — I’m a third-year computer science student at Leeds. I really appreciated your point in the panel about how AI hiring tools often reinforce bias. That’s something I’ve been researching for my final-year project.”
This tells them who you are, what you care about, and invites a response. From there, ask a thoughtful question or just let the conversation flow.
Stay present and listen actively
People remember how you made them feel, not just what you said. That means listening is your secret superpower.
Make eye contact, nod when someone says something insightful, and ask follow-up questions that show you were really paying attention. Instead of waiting for your turn to talk, be curious.
Watch your body language, too. Don’t cross your arms, avoid looking over someone’s shoulder to find someone “more important,” and do your best to stay off your phone (unless you’re adding them on LinkedIn).
If you want to improve this skill, watch Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk, which covers how body language affects not just how others perceive you, but also how you perceive yourself and show up.
3. After the event: following up and keeping momentum
A great conversation or initial connection can quickly fade if it’s not followed up, and that means missed opportunities for insight, mentorship, and future collaboration. Whether you spoke to a professional, a peer, or a panel speaker, how you reconnect in the days after can make all the difference. This section covers how to follow up with authenticity, maintain momentum, and build professional relationships that last — without feeling transactional or awkward.
Connect meaningfully on LinkedIn
Within 24–48 hours of the event, go through your notes or memory and connect with anyone you spoke to — whether they were a professional, a student, or a speaker.
When sending the request, always personalise the message. Here’s a template:
Hi [Name], it was great meeting you at the Women in STEM event yesterday. I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on transitioning from research to consulting — would love to stay in touch!
Remember, this isn’t a job pitch. It’s a polite, warm touchpoint. You can let them know who you are and where you met, but we’d advise against making big asks immediately after, unless they’ve promised you a followup opportunity or resource based on your in-person conversation.
If they gave you their email or had a longer conversation with you, consider sending a quick thank-you message with a question or link to something relevant you discussed. Keep it brief but thoughtful.
Stay engaged, not transactional
Don’t just disappear after connecting. If they post something relevant, like a blog post, a new job, or a comment about their field, interact with it in a meaningful way and support their work the way you’d want them to support yours.
This kind of light, long-term engagement builds rapport far more naturally than popping up six months later with a request and no prior contact.
Equally, it’s all about balance. If someone appears disengaged with your efforts to connect, consider why that might be before continuing. Are you making big asks for their time that they can’t fulfil? Are they going through a particularly busy period of work? Will they have received tens, or hundreds, of generic connection requests after the event?
Keep networking (even after the event)
Networking isn’t a one-time task…it’s a habit. It’s helpful to think of it like building a muscle: the more consistently you use it, the stronger and more natural it becomes. Every conversation gets easier with time, and your future self with be grateful for the ground work you put in early on.
If you only “network” once a year at a careers fair, it’ll always feel awkward. But if you treat it as part of your academic, social, and professional life, you’ll gain confidence, improve your communication skills, and build a long-term network that can open unexpected doors.
Steal our event networking prompts:
Learning about a company / industry
“Hi, I’m [Your Name]. I noticed you’re with [Company Name] — I’ve been really curious about how your team is tackling [specific trend/technology]. Would you mind sharing a bit?”
Connecting with a speaker / industry leader
“I saw your name on the speaker list and really enjoyed what you shared about [topic]. Can I ask what inspired your talk?”
Exploring a company’s culture
“I’ve been following [Company] for a while and love what you’re doing with [initiative/product]. What’s it like working there day-to-day?”
Career exploration
“Your career path into [industry] seems really unique — what was the turning point for you?”
Career insights / expectations vs reality
“Can I ask what surprised you most about working in [industry/role] after university?”
Seeking internships or jobs
“I’d love to hear how you landed your first internship or job in this industry.”
General networking / icebreaker
“Hey! Mind if I join you? I’m [Your Name], studying [Subject] at [University]. What brought you to this event?”
Event-based opener / icebreaker
“What’s been the most interesting thing you’ve heard today?”
Student-to-student networking
“Are you part of any student groups or societies? I’m looking to branch out a bit.”
Event-based networking intent
“Are you hoping to meet anyone specific today?”
Career exploration / intentional networking
"I’m trying to meet people working in [industry or role]. Mind if I ask what you do and how you got there?"
Low-pressure / relatable icebreaker
“I’m trying to get better at talking to new people at these events — how are you finding it?”
Learning about internship / entry-level opportunities
“What kind of projects do interns or entry-level hires typically work on?”
Just remember…
Networking in 2025 doesn’t mean having it all figured out. It means showing up with honesty, effort, and curiosity.
Every connection you make is a seed — not every one of them will grow, but some will flourish into opportunities, mentorships, friendships, or lessons you carry forward.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. The 93% Club is a community built for state-educated students who want to connect, grow, and get ahead without needing the “right connections” to start with.
As a member, you’ll get access to:
Supportive in-person and virtual networking events
Mentorship from people who get your background
Career workshops, employer meetups, and opportunities tailored to you
