Most students know that networking is a fundamental and necessary skill of the job search. Nonetheless, many are reluctant to network for an internship or job opportunity. Networking can be uncomfortable, and some may opt instead for the less intimidating, resume and cover letter submission. However, as senior Audrey Yoest can attest to, networking at Duke and Career Center sponsored events like Career Week can lead to great opportunities. “I’m not the president of any club, I’m an average Duke student, I don’t feel like I would stick out that much on a resume,” said Yoest. “If it weren’t for Career Week, I don’t know whether I would have an internship.”
    “People need to realize, the alumni are specifically there for the purpose of helping,” said Yoest. “People are much more interested in face-to-face connections, much more than what can be shown on a resume.” Yoest, who got an internship with General Electric by networking at Career Week, strongly recommends that students be assertive at such events.
    “You can’t expect to just sit in on the panels,” said Yoest. She approached several panel presenters afterwards, introduced herself, and asked for their business cards to follow-up. Since her interests lie in business, she connected with banking and business alumni. After Career Week, she talked to alumni she had met there. One was Karla Mizelle, the Vice President of Recourse & Appraisal Management for GE Capital Mortgage Insurance (GEMICO), who invited Yoest to have lunch and learn more about GE. “Karla liked that I took the initiative and went up to her,” said Yoest. “She helped me to know how to prepare for the GE internship interviews.” Yoest added, “Karla sort of became my mentor.”  
    Even if networking doesn’t lead to an immediate opportunity, Yoest’s advice to Duke students is to network assertively. “Even if the people you network with don’t have an internship available, they can connect you with people who do. Or, they can keep your resume on file for next year, and you can say ‘hey, remember I met you at Career Week?’”