For those who got positions by networking, is reaching out to those outside of your alumni network unprofessional?

Students/Interns gtfo please. 

But yeah for those who are in the industry and got their positions by networking, how did you manage to reach out to those who were outside of your alumni network? I'm very passionate about what I'm trying to pursue so I don't come off as a tool over the phone looking for a handout since I really do enjoy learning about the industry from those in it.

Then again, I feel like it's unprofessional to reach out to people you have zero common ground with. I'm having success within my alumni network but I go to a non-target so I have to start expanding. 

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Nope been doing that have gotten responses out of people I had no connection with and never thought would respond. Sometimes I try people that use to be at my firm or sometimes it's no connection at all and still get people to respond. Obviously the response rate is lower but there are people out there who genuinely nice and just want to help someone/give advice

 

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