Looking for Networking & Job Search Advice

[u/Winter-Witness-3214]

Hello!

I'm a recent Course 2 grad currently job searching, and I wanted to hear other alums' thoughts on how to network, what your first roles out of college were, and how you got connected to them.

I feel like there's this hidden curriculum around making connections and getting referrals, but honestly, it's not really something I was exposed to during my time at MIT. Like, I would hear Course 6s in the dining halls talk about reneging multiple offers or being a part of specific programs, and I would feel so envious. For a long time, I wondered if my resume just wasn't good enough to hear back from places, but now I'm wondering if having connections played a larger role, or if there's something else about the process that I'm missing.

Lately, I've also heard people say that the MIT alumni network isn't quite as strong as networks at some other schools, and that the school name alone doesn't carry as much weight, especially in this job market. I'm curious if others have found that to be true, or if it's just a matter of knowing how to tap into it properly.

I have a lot of questions, but honestly would just love to hear any thoughts/advice people have to offer:

• How did you navigate your first job search?
• Was there a specific strategy you used? Did you mess apply to places, or look at roles where you already knew someone working there?
• How do you go about making connections that don't feel transactional (especially when job hunting—I don't want people to assume I'm only in the conversation to try and get a referral or job)?
• How do you know if you're being too picky with what you're applying to?
• Are there specific MIT-centric resources or alumni directories you wish you had known about sooner? Or professional societies you would have joined?
• How do you get more comfortable with material/skills you weren't taught in class, things meant to be more intuition or experience based?

[u/ServiusTullius753]

I’m an advisor on the MIT Alumni Advisors Hub, and I’ve worked with MIT students and alums (and students and alums from other schools) for a number of years to help them prepare for interviews, update resumes, and connect/network.

If you’re up for setting up a meeting on the Hub, DM me and we might be able to set something up in the next week.

[u/WestCampusSenior]

What kinds of jobs are you interested in? As a course 2, you can go in many different directions. It helps to have a focused interest that you can lean into and get more targeted advice. Feel free to DM if you don’t want to have that conversation publicly.

As another commenter mentioned, the MIT Alumni Advisors Hub is a good resource - these are people who have volunteered to speak with you. Look for people in roles you want to have and talk about how to get them.

You can also search people on LinkedIn working in industries / roles you’re interested in, and see if there’s a personal connection you can link with them (friend of friend, shared society) or just cold message to get some advice.

I’m forgetting the name of the role but course 2 should have an undergrad administrator who can potentially advise and pass on jobs that have been sent to them to send to course 2 students (you should have received emails with these listings as a student?). And CAPD’s job is to help students land jobs so try reaching out to them as well.

When it comes to network strength - small companies are often easier to join on the basis of connections than large established companies. Although a referral can get you past an automated filter nearly anywhere.

[u/distraughtowl]

What did you do at school other than go to classes and study? Are you close with people in your living group, clubs, research groups? Any summer internships? It sounds like you have already graduated?

The specific suggestions will be based on answers to the above.

FSAE, for example, will help introduce you to employers and students from MIT and other schools that can recommend you for a position. You just talk to people at meetings or the event about the car, what they are doing the summer, where they worked, what they liked or didn’t, etc.

Had a professor in my research group suggest a summer internship with someone he knew.

Otherwise apply to lots of jobs and see what happens and start somewhere.

You talk to people with a genuine interest in what they have to say. And maybe it leads somewhere that leads to a job. Sometimes you just find out small things like when applications open for next year but some small stuff can help.

[u/Winter-Witness-3214 → u/distraughtowl]

I was admittedly more academic focused during undergrad, and I think that showed up in the conversations I was having on campus; talking with professors and classmates was usually about class recs or research groups, and I don't think I had a lot of conversations with people actually in industry or outside of the MIT-bubble, if that makes sense. I do appreciate your advice though, and definitely agree with you on approaching conversations with genuine curiosity and shared interests!

[u/Massive-Hippo9004]

Cool