The Power of Networking

By Jack Carroll

As Stonehill students near graduation they are all discovering the old saying is true, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

“Networking is students’ best tool for finding a job today,” said Assistant Director of Career Services Ben Chalot. Students visit counselors like Chalot at the Kruse Center to receive help finding a job or internship.

The Kruse Center houses both International Programs and the Office of Career Services, and provides valuable jobs for work study students. The Office of Career Services provides access to numerous online and print resources as well as organizes several programs and events throughout the year.

“It is a much more competitive job market this year than years past. There are less jobs for more applicants,” said Assistant Director of Career Services Ben Chalot.

As seniors graduate and apply for entry level jobs, they are not only competing with countless other recent graduates, but many experienced workers looking for jobs, some with graduate degrees.

“Finance majors are looking for jobs with traditional financial institutions like Merryl-Lynch, but these jobs don’t exist,” said Chalot.

“A lot of students are expecting not to get jobs after graduation,” said Associate Director of Career Services Christina Burney.

Counselors said networking is the best chance for a student to solidify a position.

“Students must rely on old bosses, past supervisors, family, friends, and family friends,” said Ben Chalot.

Stonehill students are finding networking can turn up in a variety of places.

“I got my job for the summer because the building used to be my dad’s factory so he knew the people now working there and managed to get me a position,” said student Victor Regis.

Sometimes students can reach out and make connections with nothing but a name.

“I sent an email to my second cousin who I’ve only talked to once or twice in my life and asked if he had any openings at his construction company. I thought it was worth a shot because we had the same name,” said student Joe Albanese.

Albanese was unsuccessful this time in his attempt to get a job, but similar cases have turned out positive.

“Both of my bosses from last year left and I only had one other phone number left. So in order to get my job back I had to call this woman in Ohio who was the director of the entire Eastern Seaboard division and ask her for my summer job back. She gave it to me,” said student Kevin O’Leary.

Networking opportunities can also turn up in most unlikely of circumstances.

“After I got written up here, I had to do community service. The staff member that signed off on my hours worked, told me that I did such a good job that I should come back in the summer,” said student Kelly Regan. “So basically I have a summer job because I got in trouble at school.”