Expand Your Network / Find a Mentor

Here you’ll find guidelines for building your professional network and connecting with mentors. For industry-specific advice, be sure to check out the Career Communities.

Your network—genuine relationships based on trust and mutual respect—will help you expand your knowledge, discover opportunities, increase your visibility, and support your professional growth.

Gain support, build skills, learn valuable professional and academic insights, and identify your goals with the help of a mentor. Grinnellians love to help other Grinnellians! Visit Connecting with Grinnell Alumni to learn more.


Networking on LinkedIn: Advice for Students


College students with LinkedIn Profiles can use the site to build a professional network, see real-time job alerts, be discovered by prospective employers, do research to prepare for interviews, and demonstrate dedication to pursuing a career or making a name for themselves in an industry. Getting started with LinkedIn is easy. Here are some resources to help you get and stay LinkedIn.

Build Your Digital Business Card in under Fifteen Minutes

Dating back to fifteenth century China, the business card is evolving once again to include free digital versions that will simplify making lasting connections. While you can quick-connect on LinkedIn using the built-in QR code to take someone straight to …

By Robin Bourjaily
Robin Bourjaily Assistant Director, Exploratory Career Community
Read more

Five Actionable Tips for Career Success at Grinnell College: Starting Today!

Here are some quick tips I would like to share that will help you along your successful career journey. Although we often have preconceived notions of what it’s like to work in a specific field, finding out from first-hand sources …

By Anthony Ross
Anthony Ross Director
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Diversifying the Next Generation of Doctors

The Diversifying the Next Generation of Doctors Career Fair and Workshops will be held on March 23, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus (OH). Get the scoop from trustworthy sources on how to apply and get into medical school—and how …

By Mary Jane Shroyer
Mary Jane Shroyer Director, Health Professions Career Community
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Resources

Do you know where you’d like to work, but aren’t sure how to find opportunities in the area? Finding your …

Want to expand your network? Looking to cold call a local artist, maker, designer, arts-nonprofit manager or other creative? Our …

Build Skills

LinkedIn Learning courses are available to all current students.  For Alumni Access please visit LinkedIn Learning to start an account.

Professional Networking

Taught by Dorie Clark
View Dorie’s LinkedIn Newsletter You don’t have to be an extrovert to be good at networking, and you don’t have…

Informational Interviewing

Taught by Barbara Bruno
If you are looking for a job, considering a new career, or trying to advance in your current career, you…

Business Etiquette: Meetings, Meals, and Networking Events (2017)

Taught by Suzanna Kaye
Setting the right tone in business communications is essential to success in every career. Knowing the proper etiquette for many…

Social Success at Work

Taught by Todd Dewett
When it comes to success, social skills are just as vital as intelligence, hard work, and expertise. Long-term success requires…

Managing Your Professional Network

Taught by Elise Gelwicks
A strong network can help you land your next job, grow your career, and generate sales leads. That’s why networking…

Find a Job in the Hidden Job Market

Taught by Sarah Johnston
80% of jobs are not posted on job boards or company websites. These positions are filled in the hidden job…

The Ultimate Guide to Professional Networking

Taught by Dana Robinson
The business world is constantly evolving. If you’re following networking advice from the past, then you’re missing huge opportunities for…

Professional Networking for Career Starters

Taught by Jayla Hill
Connect to opportunity. Learn how to build and engage a network when you’re just starting out in your career. Jayla…

Professional Networking and Influence

Taught by Alan Hall
Are you looking to build your personal network, exercise influence without authority, manage upwards, and communicate the value of collaborating…

Super Connecting: The Secret of Professional Networking

Taught by Madecraft
Most networking advice you hear hasn’t been updated for our modern, social, interconnected world. In this course, networking expert JaMarr…

Finding a Job on LinkedIn (2021)

Taught by Oliver Schinkten
Harness the power of LinkedIn to find and land a job. LinkedIn is the world’s #1 professional network—not just for…

The Lost Art of Connecting: On Relationships (Book Bite)

Taught by Next Big Idea Club
If you’re craving more social interaction, you can rest assured you’re not alone. It’s time to quit networking and refocus…

Building Your Career

Taught by Pete Mockaitis | How to Be Awesome at Your Job
As they reflect on their careers, what do the most successful, high-impact people have in common? It’s not heaps of…

Nano Tips for Defining Your Personal Brand with Diana YK Chan

Taught by Diana YK Chan
Welcome to our Nano Tips series, where LinkedIn Learning creators deliver impactful lessons in literally seconds. In this installment, gather…

How to Advocate for Yourself in Your Job Search and Career

Taught by LinkedIn News
Advocating for yourself in the workplace can be scary. Many people struggle with talking about and defending themselves. They might…

Pep Talk Before You Attend a Networking Event

Taught by Dana Robinson
For most people, networking doesn’t come naturally, but that doesn’t mean you need to stress about it. As you keep…

Firsthand Vault Guides

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Address

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Grinnell, IA 50112

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Tuesday 8:00am–5:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am–5:00pm
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Friday 8:00am–5:00pm
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