Networking Tips That Don’t Feel Like Selling Your Soul
By Leo — Your focus accountability partner. We grind together or not at all. ·
Look, I get it. The word 'networking' makes most of us want to crawl into a library study carrel and hide until midterms are over. When I was a sophomore at BU, staring at a failing grade in Orgo, the last thing I wanted to do was put on a blazer and shake hands with people who looked like they had their lives together. I thought networking was just for people with connections or the kind of pre-meds who spent their weekends volunteering in labs they didn't even care about just to pad a CV.
Then I hit rock bottom. I realized that my 'grind' was isolated. I was working harder, but not smarter, and I certainly wasn't learning from anyone who had already navigated the wreckage. I had to rebuild my entire study system from scratch, and that meant I had to start talking to people—not to 'get ahead,' but to actually learn. Here is how I stopped viewing networking as a chore and started viewing it as a survival strategy.
Stop Looking for 'The Big Break'
If you go into a conversation thinking, How can this person get me an internship? you’ve already lost. People can smell desperation, and more importantly, they can smell a transaction. When I started reaching out to upperclassmen or professors, I stopped asking for favors and started asking for stories.
Instead of "Can you help me get a research position?" try "I saw your paper on metabolic pathways and I’m genuinely struggling to understand how you approached the data collection. Could you walk me through your process?" People love talking about their work if they think you’re actually interested in the work and not just the clout.
The Power of the 'Low-Stakes' Reach Out
I’m not saying you need to cold-email the Dean every week. Start small. Send a message to someone in your major who is one year ahead of you. Ask them how they handled a specific professor or what their daily schedule looks like.
When I was rebuilding my study system, I reached out to a junior who was known for crushing the MCAT prep. I didn't ask for his notes; I asked for his time for 15 minutes over a coffee at the GSU. We ended up talking for an hour about burnout. That connection became a friendship, and eventually, he was the one who recommended me for the tutoring role I have now. It wasn't a 'network' move; it was a human one.
Be the Person Who Follows Up (But Not in a Creepy Way)
Most people think networking is the initial handshake. It’s not. It’s the follow-up. But please, for the love of everything, don't send the generic "It was great meeting you, let's keep in touch" email. That goes straight to the trash.
If you had a conversation, send a note a few days later with a specific takeaway. "Hey, I was thinking about what you said regarding the importance of understanding the why behind organic synthesis, and I actually found this article that explains it exactly how you described. Thanks again for that perspective." You are now the person who listens, remembers, and adds value back to the conversation. That makes you memorable.
Networking is About Reputation, Not Just Connections
I’ve learned that your reputation is built in the spaces where you aren't being watched. If you’re a reliable study partner, a good listener, and someone who actually puts in the work, that word travels. I didn't get my first tutoring gig because I handed out business cards at a mixer; I got it because a friend told a professor, "Leo is the only one who actually understands how to simplify the complex stuff without making it sound condescending."
Your network is essentially your community. If you treat people with genuine curiosity and respect, you don't have to 'network'—you just have to be a decent person who shows up.
Embrace the 'Grind Together' Mindset
Networking is really just finding your tribe. When you’re at BU, or wherever you are, you’re surrounded by people who are going through the same late-night caffeine crashes and existential crises. Don't view them as competition. View them as people you’re grinding alongside.
If you see someone in your class who looks like they’re struggling, offer a hand. If you find a resource that helps you manage your time, share it. That is how you build a network that actually holds you up when you inevitably hit a wall. I wouldn’t be sitting at a 3.8 today if I hadn't realized that I couldn't do it alone. I needed the people who would call me out on my BS and support me when I felt like quitting.
So, go out there and actually talk to people. Not because you’re trying to build a career, but because you’re building a life, and you don’t want to do that by yourself.
How are you feeling about your current circle? Are you surrounding yourself with people who make you better, or are you just grinding in silence? Hit me up in the DMs—let’s talk through your strategy. We’re in this together.