Online MBA: Networking Tips for Students

For an MBA aspirant, building relationships and networking with other students and professors is of high importance. Aspirants who choose to study MBA online get to enjoy the perks of studying at their own pace but at the same time, building relationships in the virtual world gets a little challenging. 

The need for networking with your peers and professors can be both academically and professionally. Keeping this is mind, distance learners need to make a little extra effort and make the most of the situations. Here are a few tips that can help you build and foster your relationship with your peers and professors in an online curriculum. 

Reach out to your professors and peers

When pursuing online MBA, you need to be more self-motivated, and building relationships requires the same amount of dedication as other aspects of online coursework. Always remember that you will have to make an effort to let others know who you are. Professors and peers will not notice you until and unless you make yourself get noticed.

One of the best ways to do so is by sending a simple greeting email at the beginning of the session that can include a sentence or two about yourself and your background. This way, your peers and professors will get familiar with you. Make sure that you do not write long personal stories – this should only be an introductory mail. 

Make yourself visible during classes

One of the best ways to build a meaningful relationship with peers and professors is by actively participating in the class. Try and provide constructive contributions during the classes and interact with your classmates as much as possible. Providing insights and adding value to the class will certainly not make you go unnoticed. 

Never miss the opportunity of attending face-to-face meetings

Even though you will be getting your degree online, you will get numerous opportunities to attend face-to-face meetings – never miss these opportunities! Whenever given a chance, attend the F2F meetings and take the opportunity to introduce yourself in person. Also, you can plan to meet your classmates at regular intervals, form a group and study. This can help you develop personal and beneficial relationships with them. 

Be a good team player

Most online MBA programs promote teamwork among students. Working closely with your classmates and connecting with them through emails, calls, discussion boards etc. can eventually boost networking skills. Volunteer to help people and try to showcase your leadership skills when working in groups. 

Keep an updated social media profile

Having a presence on social media platform, especially LinkedIn increases your chances of networking. Social media presence increases the chances of active participation in groups and communities. Furthermore, you can join the alumni groups and this can benefit immensely in knowing people who have previously been a part of the college/University offering the MBA programme. 

Follow the above mentioned tips and build a cordial relationship with your classmates and professors!

Also read:

10 Types of people you might meet during MBA