Connecting and networking with others is the foundation to gaining a deeper understanding of the types of roles and industries of interest to MBAs.

As you have career conversations with alumni, peers, and others you will gain insight into what is important to you in a role, a company, and a mission/cause and how that aligns with your vision of meaningful and rewarding work.

Getting Started

These resources will help you get organized for effective use of your time with connections and potential employers.

• Clarifying Your Networking Goals
• Review Career Conversations in the Career Labs
• Sample Networking Questions
• Networking and Application Tracker

Identifying your Network

Connecting with current students and alumni is one of the best ways to gather information during your search. We recommend tapping into your Haas network early and often by connecting with current and former students in all programs.

Current Students: EWMBA, FTMBA, and EMBA

• Online Haas Student Directory in Slack – Use the “People” search in Slack to find fellow students and alumni. Keyword searches reveal people working at your target companies, locations, and functions
• Campus Groups – Find industry-specific clubs at Haas that align with your interests
• Student Networking Lists – Links to spreadsheets indicating where students worked prior to Haas, while at Haas, for their summer internships, and after Haas

Alumni

• @Cal Alumni Directory – Directory of all Cal Alumni; great for finding direct contact information
• Three Steps to Connect with your Berkeley Haas Community – Quick cheat sheet on how to leverage @Cal Alumni Directory and LinkedIn to contact and connect with alumni
• Berkeley Haas Alumni groups on LinkedIn – Haas Alumni groups help you connect with thousands of Haas Alumni, affinity groups, and Alumni Chapters all over the world
• Email Tips for Networking with Alumni

Networking on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool. Learn more about how to update your LinkedIn profile, tap into all your networks, and do some research to support your job search.

Virtual Conferences and Networking Events

These resources will help you get organized and make the most of attending a virtual conference or networking event.

• Preparing for a Virtual Conference  (4m31s)
• Managing Yourself During a Virtual Conference  (6m09s)
• Followup after a Networking Event or Conference  (4m48s)
• Virtual Networking Tips

Additional Resources

• Video Interviewing Checklist – Tips and recommendations on how to virtually present yourself in a professional manner
  • Berkeley Haas Virtual Backgrounds
• From-Here-to-There – Framework for introducing yourself and opening a career conversation; includes a worksheet and examples
• Networking and Application Tracker

Where to Network

Conferences and professional associations are great places to start networking.

• Check out our Diversity Resources Page for identity-specific professional associations and conferences
• Haas Industry & Affinity Groups on LinkedIn
• Haas Alumni Slack Workspace
• Forté Foundation
• MeetUp.com – a resource for finding local people with similar interests who regularly meet about a topic
• Net Impact

Business Cards; Yes or No for Networking?

Increasingly, business cards are falling out of use as a common part of networking. Haas and CMG recommend the following if you would like to exchange contact information after an introduction or meeting:

Popl – digital business card (iOS and Android compatible, no app required).

LinkedIn QR code connect – immediately share your profile and connect with your new network addition.