Networking in College

When I was in college, I was in the film school at a state university, and my department faculty was made up of people working in the industry and teaching as adjunct professors for the steady income. That was a huge asset to us, because they really harped on the importance of getting out there and working. They also ensured that our projects ran professionally. We became like mini-production companies, and each of us ended up taking on different roles regularly.

I noticed there was a huge gap in casting. Everyone was getting their friends to be in their films, and none of them were actual actors. I thought, “Surely there are actors in the theater department who would love to get some actual film footage for their reels who’d be willing to work for free.” So I posted flyers in the theater department but didn’t get much traction.

The Hustle: How I Created Professional Experience From Scratch

It was time to go broader. I started contacting talent agencies in the area and asked them if they had any up-and-coming talent in need of footage that we could provide with our student films. I found a few that really loved the idea, and I supplemented the rest with Craig’s List ads. I started holding full scale auditions with talent from the area and casting our student films with amazing talent. It was such great practice for everyone involved because it added a level of professionalism to our shoots.

Once word got around, I was soon seeing even seasoned local actors at my auditions. They would audition for our student films simply because they wanted to stay in practice and meet young talent who would soon be in the biz. I also started using local filmmakers’ studio spaces to hold auditions for more of a professional vibe. It was all coming together, and I was having a blast doing it.

I wasn’t an actor, so I had very little experience with how auditions actually worked. I had one or two P.A. (production assistant) paid gigs where I watched how casting sessions worked, but that was it. I mostly just made it up as I went along. Eventually, I started getting casting assistant gigs because of the work I had done in school.

At one of my school auditions, a really lovely, seasoned local actor complimented my auditions and said they were so professional and that I should meet this local casting director that he worked with a lot. I couldn’t believe it! It was happening! It also felt so good to be recognized for the hard work and to be validated that I was doing it right.

He set up the meeting, and I started interning for her the following semester. I couldn’t believe it all just fell into place. After school was over, I began working with her full-time, and soon after she made me an associate casting director.

Why "Hustle and Grit" Still Win in Today's Job Market

Now before you start telling me about how things are different now, that you can just put some flyers up and get a job, let me tell you, I know and I validate that yes, indeed, things are different now.

But people are still people and want to help other people, especially when they show some hustle, grit, and selflessness.

Low-Stakes Networking: Trading Perspective for Professional Connections

I’ve been talking to a lot of college students lately, seeking to understand their unique perspectives, and those connections matter. It’s a win-win. I get the data I need to refine my process, and they get to learn how to network in a low-stakes atmosphere. They probably didn’t think they were doing anything special because they were just giving their perspective on things, but to me it was extremely valuable. And because of that, they built trust with me - a person in an established career, mostly likely with more professional connections than they currently have. They just expanded their network and enabled access to future opportunities with very little effort. Now, they aren’t just a resume to me; they are people with thought out perspectives who help other people out, and I will remember that.

Obviously, networking can lead to opportunities, but the equally as important benefits that are less talked about are:

• It shows your authenticity to create relationships, not just reaching out when you need something.
• It grows your confidence, so when you’re in an interview, you elicit trust. They are more likely to believe that you know what you’re talking about.
• In college you can do a lot of free projects for people to gain experience. This gives you two benefits:
  • People will be grateful and speak well of you. It helps you to build goodwill.
  • It builds your experience and gives you something to put on your resume.

Conclusion

The biggest takeaway I want students to get from this is that you don’t have to wait for permission to create the value that you know you’re capable of bringing to the table. Had I waited for the perfect opportunity instead of creating my own opportunity, then I’d have missed it. There was nothing magical about what I did. I simply saw a gap, realized how my skillset could solve it, and jumped in. This allowed me to be transformed from a faceless resume to a trusted person who was already delivering value while still in school. I was developing my skills and training myself for the way that I wanted to show up in my career. I was building trust in my community, establishing authentic relationships, and, just as importantly, having a lot of fun doing it.

What have you been waiting for permission to do? Go create value today and see what opportunities arise.