Facebook pixel How to Find Networking Contacts | Pepperdine University | Seaver College Skip to main content
Pepperdine | Seaver College

How to Find Networking Contacts

Create a list of potential contacts, consider everyone in your personal and professional network, including:

  • Friends, family members, neighbors
  • Classmates and alumni from any schools you have attended
  • Fellow members of clubs, organizations, and professional associations
  • Professors, mentors, staff members, academic advisors, coaches
  • Former and current work supervisors and co-workers

While some of your primary contacts can be rich sources of career-related information, others may be able to refer you to another person who can offer help. As you reach out to others in your network, continue to refine your interests and goals with the information you have collected.

Leveraging Professional and Social Media

Your professional profile and engagement with social media are highly effective tools for networking. Professional and social media platforms are valuable resources for researching careers, gaining insight from experienced professionals, and searching for jobs. Actively manage your personal brand online to promote your skills, interests, and professional aspirations with the following sites:

  • PeppConnect- Leverage the connections you've built during your time at Pepperdine and take advantage of the global network of alumni who are willing to help! The PeppConnect platform offers a place for alumni and students to connect with Pepperdine and each other in a meaningful way. Access and search the member directory for alumni with similar career interests, majors, and even geographical preferences. Many alumni offer support to students through resume and interview assistance, providing career and industry insight, and also offer guidance through mentorship opportunities.
  • LinkedIn – Develop your profile on the world's largest professional network to exponentially increase your world of connections, research companies of interest, discover job opportunities, and engage with alumni and industry groups. Update your profile regularly with the skills, qualities, and experiences that attract potential employers.
  • Social Media – Explore the professional applications of these omnipresent sites to expand your network, improve your personal brand, and interact with potential hiring managers. Professionalism is key to leveraging your online presence for the job search. Keep your profile(s) professional and activate privacy settings to control the information displayed publicly. Review our Professional Use of Technology Guide to learn how to use social media professionally.

Meet with Potential Employers

Companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies visit campus throughout the year to share career opportunities with students. During the Fall industry career fairs and the Spring Career Expo, company presentations, and information tables, you can speak directly with employers about internship and job possibilities. Employers often share aspects of the company culture, tips for strengthening your application, and opportunities for career advancement within the company. Employer events also offer the opportunity to practice introducing yourself to others and build your professional network as you evaluate your fit with a particular job, company, and industry.

To see the full calendar of events and RSVP, log into Handshake.

Connect with Alumni

Building relationships with fellow Waves is an excellent way to expand your professional network at any stage of your career. Whether you are seeking to conduct an informational interview with a professional or researching a specific company, turn to your alumni network as a rich source of information and opportunity. There are a variety of methods to connect with alumni, including:

  • PeppConnect: In this unique virtual community, Pepperdine alumni, faculty, staff, and parents have made themselves available to offer the exact resources you're looking for in one convenient location. Log in today to build professional, personal, and purposeful relationships with Pepperdine people all over the world.
  • Student Alumni Organization: Attend events hosted by this student-led organization designed to foster relationships among current students and alumni, including Night 2 Network and Hang 10 Dinners. These events gather alumni working in various industries to answer your questions and share their professional experiences to guide your career path.
  • LinkedIn Alumni Groups: Curious about where alumni are working, what positions they hold, and what experiences they've had since graduating? Explore your alumni network on LinkedIn and reach out to Waves in your targeted position, company, industry, and interest area. Numerous groups cater to facilitating connections among students and alumni, including "Seaver College/George Pepperdine College Alumni," "Pepperdine University Alumni," "Waves Hiring Waves" and various local and regional chapter groups.

For more information about alumni events, contact the Pepperdine Alumni Association.

Professional Associations

Becoming part of a professional association can open up your networking possibilities by connecting you with professionals in your field. These organizations exist at the local, national, and international levels as a way to educate, support, and advance the professional development of members. Participation in a professional organization also provides opportunities to find a mentor in the field, enhance your resume, gather industry knowledge, and learn about job positions. The following directories can help you identify professional associations related to your field of interest: