When to start networking for CRE?

Rising sophomore in a good undergrad program. Is it too early to start cold emailing RE alumni? Currently just looking to build relationships with the hopes of landing a soph summer internship. Follow up question - how to go on about asking for an internship? Should I not point it out and just hit them up again in February?

6 Comments
 

LOL dude really? You know the answer to this.....

It's NEVER TOO EARLY to start networking. Even if it doesn't directly lead to stuff right now, these relationships will pay dividends down the road. You'd be amazed how connections you make now can pay off in the long term, and the younger you are the more willing people are to help.

Remember you never know who might be able to help you down the road.

Array
 

The best time to network was yesterday. The second best time is today.

Quant (ˈkwänt) n: An expert, someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing.
 
"Pierogi Equities" The best time to network was yesterday. The second best time is today.

Well said! By the time you need a network, it's already too late.

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Most Helpful

So as the above people have said, now is the time to start, couldn't agree more. Given where you are from a timing standpoint, I would seek out two distinct types of people to build relationships with. Really, you need strong relationships, not a massive wide net of people (that comes later). Here are the two...

  1. Senior/mid-senior career types to act as mentors - People who will give you honest advice, maybe make a connection for you (but not why you reach out to them initially), and help you understand the industries/fields/jobs you are considering. The key is this is truly for mentorship/guidance, not really finding a job (but it could happen).

  2. Recent grads from your program/school - This is for true peer to peer type networking, give you a view of the real world, help you figure out how to prep, etc. This group can best help you find an internship. How? Ask them to refer you to the firm/teams of where they did an internship they have left. Former intern referring new interns is a great way to get to the front of the line for consideration. They can also help with FT positions in a few years, and hopefully a few have been promoted and can recommend you with more power.

Clearly, no limitation implied, but wanted to give you an idea of where I would start.

 

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