By Genevieve Balivet
Networking and speaking with professionals can be intimidating. As students, we often resist it even though we know we have to do it. To help ease these anxieties, the GVSU Department of Writing hosted a Real Talk event on April 18, 2024 for students to meet eleven communications professionals. Students rotated between conversations, each on a different topic. These included employer expectations in portfolios and resumes, interviewing and networking, maximizing college careers, and developing as a young professional. Throughout this event, students gathered three main takeaways on the value of speaking to professionals.
Hear multiple perspectives
Professionals may have differing opinions on how to approach the career field. What to put on a resume, how to network, or what skills are most important for a first job are all questions most students entering the job market have. It can be difficult to know whose advice to take. This is when having direct conversations with different professionals can be helpful.
For example, when discussing digital portfolios, animation studio owner Michael Lynn and author/television producer Edward Winterhalder gave contrasting advice. Lynn looked for projects reflecting the job position, saying, “I like to see that you can do what I’ve asked you to do.” Winterhalder recommended building a diverse portfolio to show flexibility. Similarly, they both warned against using generative AI in a portfolio. However, the professionals discussing resumes, Jordan Punches and Caroline Winterhalder, discussed AI’s usefulness as a tool for drafting cover letters.
GV Student Brooke Rempalski commented this variety was their favorite aspect: “[I liked] being able to hear conflicting advice, and why people believe what they do. Different advice is applicable to each part of the field. It was valuable to listen to what everyone has to say and retain what will be helpful for my part.” Direct conversation lets students collect more context-specific, and applicable, advice as they move into their careers.
Build Connections
During their conversations, students also built their networks. As noted in a previous OPW blog post, networking can be intimidating, but speaking with professionals helps demystify this process. Meaghan Pear, BDO USA’s National Senior Marketing Leader and Strategist, described networking as simply building and maintaining relationships. In the same way, interviewing is then a conversation to see if the interviewee fits with the job, the company, and the people. Punches described a resume as a conversation starter for the interview: “I think I could be a really good fit; let’s have a conversation.”
This demystifying and chance to network was a valuable part of the experience. Alum Malcolm Kramp remarked, “[I enjoyed having] insight into the perspectives of people who had similar experiences as we’ve had to GV, people with similar paths giving advice and support.” Student Erin Riley added “I got to meet with professionals in my own area. It often feels like there’s no one in the area who cares about [writing as a career], but there are.”
Develop a professional skill
Above all, this event let students develop conversation skills. Knowing how to hold a conversation is a vital workplace skill, appearing constantly as the discussions progressed. Speaking on professionalism, Robyn Schopp and Emma Nelson emphasized being able to communicate and hold tricky conversations. Asking appropriate questions and admitting mistakes was key. And these conversations aren’t easy; they take practice. During this event, students could practice this skill while learning its importance. They could get over their anxiety about approaching professionals, ask questions, and build confidence. Attending events like this is an easy and valuable way for students to prepare themselves for the career field.
