The Power of Networking in Online Education: How to Build Connections

Online education is gaining popularity with more and more students taking up online degrees to manage both their higher qualifications and work commitments. Looking at the numerous advantages that online education offers, the appeal of this mode of learning for pursuing higher education is obvious. Online learning is not just flexible but affordable. Students get equivalent career opportunities after pursuing an online degree as they get with a regular on-campus degree. Furthermore, networking also plays a prominent role for online students to build connections and gain an edge in their profession. However, many students fear that pursuing online education might hinder them from networking or making meaningful connections due to lack of face-to-face interactions.   

In this post, let’s understand the power of networking in online education and how distance learners can embrace online networking through different approaches to help in their profession.

What is Networking? Why is Networking Important in Online Education?

Networking can be stated as the exchange of information and services to build professional relationships. It can be termed as the process of making connections and building relationships. Networking is important in both online and on-campus education as it helps students bond with industry experts and other professionals. Higher education allows students to interact with their peers, faculty members, and alumni during the course of their program. Most of these individuals they interact with share the same interests and professional aspirations. They also have similar skills, experiences, and connections.  

Building good professional relations with these experts helps students to build careers early on in life. The valuable connections support candidates in navigating professional pathways in the future. Candidates get many lucrative opportunities in life as a result of online networking and professional connections. They also get to interact with professionals working in their fields to gain new insights and learn from them. Although online learners may not have the facility of face-to-face communication, they do have ample options to network remotely.  

How to Network Through Online Learning? How Does Networking Help Improve Career Prospects?

Online learning allows several ways to network. Participating actively in the class and connecting with peers are some of them. Online learners may also use social media and webinars to connect with industry experts. Here are a few ways to network online to improve your career prospects:

1. Take Initiative, Make Your First Move: Be it online or on-campus education, the first important aspect of starting communication or building a network is to make the first move in communicating. It doesn’t take much to start a communication. All you need is to introduce yourself and start the thread of discussion. While giving your introduction, use relevant personal and professional details. Don’t shy away from using interesting information to break the ice. This helps in bonding well with peers having similar interests.

2. Participate Actively in Class: Online students can use the discussion boards or forums of their online sessions to communicate with fellow students and faculty. They can ask relevant questions in these forums and may start a thread for answers. Active participation in online sessions helps them build personality and connection with their fellow students.    

3. Use Video Conferencing: Online students can use video calls and chats for networking. They can use various platforms like Skype, Google Meet, Zoom, etc., to connect on video calls when required as an alternative to in-person meetings. Video chats allow them to have face-to-face interactions and help build connections with people across the globe. 

5. Meet and Greet People Outside the Classroom: Online Networking is about active involvement and follow-up. If you can manage, try to meet up with your connections in person whenever feasible. Studying online doesn’t mean you cannot meet your peers outside the class. If your institution is located nearby, you can hang out with your peers who live nearby beyond your online classrooms. You may also arrange meetings with professors or faculty members. 

6. Attend Events in the Vicinity: Join events near you that feature industry experts from the same field as yours. This will help you meet like-minded professionals to discuss topics that concern your discipline. Such interactions widen your network and create deeper impressions.

7. Visit Campus to Attend Activities: If your institution is located close to your residence, you may sign up for programs in the event calendar that appeal to you. You may take advantage of the extracurricular activities they offer and be more social to make connections to help in the future.

8. Build a Strong Presence Online: For online learners, having a strong online presence is important to develop relationships with peers and faculty. You may use social media to enhance your online presence to build good relations.

9. Stay Connected Through Social Media: Social media is a wonderful platform to stay connected with your classmates, your institution, as well as your faculty.  Participate in the discussion forums online, and follow faculty members and industry leaders on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. You may also use Quora threads to showcase your expertise. 

Overall, several online networking strategies are there giving opportunities to online learners to connect and establish strong networks.

Click here to read this blog:- Future of Online Education

Networking Mistakes to Avoid in Online Education

Networking serves as an important and relevant aspect of career progress in online education. However, doing things in the wrong way might block your connections rather than secure them.  Let’s take a look at the networking mistakes to avoid in online education.    

1. Not Following Up: Following up is an important step that shouldn’t be overlooked. Once you have established an initial contact via a networking event, you must remember to send a message appreciating the conversation and showing interest in staying connected. Here, a thoughtful follow-up can help create a new relationship to start future collaborations. 

2. Controlling a Conversation: Preventing others from sharing their views by controlling a conversation can also negatively affect your networking. This can make others less inclined to talk to you or lose interest in your conversation. So, allow others to share their views, ask them questions, and let them talk about their interests and passions.   

3. Asking too Much: It is important to take time to develop relationships when networking. You need to invest in your connections and build trust with them before asking for help or favors. If you start your communication by asking favors, it might ruin your impression in front of new connections. 

4. Being Extra Cautious: When networking in an unfamiliar setting, people prefer to stay close to their acquaintances. However, networking is all about establishing relationships with new people to expand your connections and gain more opportunities. 

Conclusion 

As discussed, the power of networking is crucial to elevate your career path and it can be done both offline and online. With proactive efforts effective networking is possible in online education. At Amity University Online, networking is used as a point of focus for online learners. The unique programs and curriculum of Amity Online ensure that students get ample opportunities to network and build connections with peers, professors, faculty members, alumni, and industry experts to gain career advancements on a global scale. Visit the official website of the institution to learn more.

Check Out Our Top Online Degree Programs