Networking 101: What Is It and Why does it Matter?
By Anne Stamer, Senior Career Coach College Flight Path
Whether you are in high school or college, you have probably heard the term networking thrown around—maybe at a career fair, in a classroom, or from a teacher telling you, “It’s not just what you know, but who you know.” But what does that actually mean?
What Is Networking
At its core, networking is building and maintaining relationships with people who can support you in your academic, personal, or professional journey—and who you can support in return. It’s about connecting with others to share information, advice, and opportunities.
Contrary to what some might think, networking is not just for business professionals in suits. It’s for everyone—especially students.
Why Networking Works
Networking isn’t just helpful—it’s proven to be one of the most effective tools for landing opportunities. The numbers say it all:
85% of jobs are filled through networking. This means that most positions are secured through personal connections, not just traditional applications.
70% of jobs are never published publicly. These hidden roles are often filled internally or created for someone a recruiter or manager meets through networking.
Networking increases job opportunity awareness by 50%. Staying connected helps you discover opportunities you would likely miss on job boards.
Networking events improve job success rates by 30%. In-person interactions help you stand out far more than submitting a resume online.
Why Networking Matters — Especially in April 2025
Right now, in April 2025, networking is more important than ever for students. Here’s why:
Graduation Season Is Around the Corner - For many high school seniors and college students, April marks the final stretch before graduation. Whether you are heading into college, a gap year, or the job market, this is a pivotal time to connect with people who can help you figure out your next steps. From asking alumni what they wish they knew, to reaching out to teachers, mentors, or employers for recommendation letters or advice—it’s all about relationships.
Internships and Job Opportunities Are Opening Up - Spring is a prime season for hiring summer interns, research assistants, and part-time workers. Employers often start looking for candidates through people they already know. A teacher might refer you. A classmate might tip you off about an opening. A professional connection you made at a workshop might offer to help. Many of the best opportunities never make it to job boards—they come through conversations.
College & Scholarship Applications Need More Than Just Grades - If you are in high school and aiming for college or scholarships, now is when you start building the kind of personal support system that makes a big difference. Having someone who knows you well and can advocate for your potential—whether it’s a teacher, coach, or someone from your community—is powerful. That only happens if you’ve taken the time to genuinely connect with them.
We Are in a Fast-Changing World - With the rise of AI, remote work, and new industries popping up all the time, the path to success looks different than it did just a few years ago. That’s why networking is so key—it helps you stay informed and adapt. Talking to people in different fields can give you insights you can’t find in a textbook or YouTube video. It’s like having a backstage pass to the real world.
You Never Know Who Knows Who - Maybe your cousin knows someone at your dream school. Maybe your part-time manager used to work in the career field you want to enter. Maybe the guest speaker in your classroom has a connection to a summer program you’ve never heard of. The world is small—and networking makes it smaller. Every new connection is a door you might walk through later.
If you're not networking, you're missing out on opportunities. Start now, start small, and remember: every conversation is a chance to grow your network—and your future.
How a Career Coach Can Help You Network Smarter as a Student
When you hear the term career coach, you might think of someone who helps with resumes or mock interviews. And while that’s part of it, one of the most valuable things a career coach can help with—especially for high school and college students—is networking.
Building a network can feel intimidating at first. You may wonder what to say, who to reach out to, or how to keep the conversation going. That’s where a career coach comes in. They don’t just tell you to network—they help you do it smartly and confidently by:
Teaching you how to network
Helping you build a strategy
Guiding you to clean up (and level up) your online presence
Connecting you to their network
Final Thought
Networking isn’t about collecting contacts—it’s about building relationships. It takes time, curiosity, and consistency. But with every conversation, you’re opening a door to something new. Each connection becomes more than a moment—it becomes a learning opportunity.
Career coaches help turn “I don’t know where to start” into “I know exactly what to do next.” If you’re a high school or college student looking to build real connections and grow your future network, a career coach might just be the best teammate you could ask for.
70% of students who work with career coaches report improved clarity in their career goals.
54% of students who work with career coaches feel more prepared for the workforce.
60% of students report increased confidence in their career decisions after working with a coach
Our founder, Lynne Fuller, recently engaged in a six week networking push. Click here to learn more from her experience!
College Flight Path is excited to let you know that we have launched our career coaching services to support you.
Our Career Coaching Can Help With:
Building your Network and confidence-building
Resume and cover letter optimization for Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Job search strategies, Career goal setting and professional development
LinkedIn Optimization & URL customization
Interview preparation & Salary Negotiation
Need help upleveling your networking strategies, fill out our contact form to get started to have access to a 15 minute discovery call.
Copyright © 2025 College Flight Path. All Rights Reserved.
References:
LinkedIn. (n.d.). 85% of jobs are filled through networking. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com
Jobvite. (2021). Job Seeker Nation Report. Retrieved from https://www.jobvite.com
Jody Michael Associates. (2025). Career Coaching for Students. Retrieved from https://www.jodymichael.com
Turbo Transitions. (2019). 25 Eye Opening Career Center Facts and Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.turbotransitions.com
Education-to-Workforce Indicator Framework. (2025). Access to College and Career Advising. Retrieved from https://educationtoworkforce.org
International Association of Career Coaches. (2025). Coaching Industry Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.iacareercoaches.org
Kinkajou Consulting. (2025). Top Coaching Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.kinkajouconsulting.com
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