By Susy Arias-Ruiz, Student Reporter
FRESNO, Calif. – How can introverted students learn to navigate the social world of networking where connections are essential for internships and job opportunities?
“According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, about half of the U.S. population is introverted,” said Claudia Lopez, a career liaison with Fresno State’s Career Development Center. “This is an issue, and it’s a hill we can help our students climb over,” Lopez said.
The Career Center held its second Networking for Introverts, an in-person event with face-to-face activities that help shy students learn effective strategies to turn their introversion into a powerful networking tool. “It’s very interactive. It’s a true workshop, not just a presentation,” said Jody Burum, senior career counselor at the Career Center.
Coming back to campus after the COVID-19 shutdown, “we began recognizing there was a loss of eye contact, communication and engagement,” Lopez said.
Burum was inspired by these behaviors to find solutions to support students because she understands how introversion makes building professional relationships difficult.
According to Burum, while she was attending a conference for the National Career Development Association, an event for introverted Ph.D. students was discussed. “I thought, that would work for our students,” Burum said.
Burum shared her idea with fellow introvert Damian Lay, the Career Center’s employer connection specialist. Together, the pair organized the first Networking for Introverts event which launched Jan. 7, 2024.
This year’s drop-in event, held on Feb. 12 in the East Banquet Room of the Student Dining Hall, was free and open to all students. Twenty-four nervous students stood at tables with high-spirited employers and excited Career Center staff, all waiting to start their rounds of quick five-minute interviews.
“It’s like speed dating, like speed networking,” Burum said, adding that before they realized it, students had gotten used to speaking to new people.
Burum greeted and instructed newcomers as Lay explained plans to students and employers. “The biggest thing is keeping students comfortable until the event starts because we don’t want students to walk out,” Burum said.
At first, the room’s atmosphere was tense and timid, but as guests enjoyed cookies, brownies and donuts the mood started to warm. The desserts were a planned strategy to help students feel welcome.
“To be comfortable at the beginning, we have a snack for students and let students have conversations while we wait for everyone to show up,” Burum said.
The event had students craft a 30-second personal introduction containing academic information, relevant experiences, skills, career goals and interests. Employers were provided with networking questions to ask students.
The participating employers were Guardian Industries, Golden Valley Unified School District, Integrated Planning and Investments, Sierra HR Partners and Hinds Hospice.
Burum and Lay encouraged students to reconnect with employers post-event.
For now, the Career Center holds the event once a year but hopes to provide more activities for introverts. “We offer this opportunity on campus for students who aren’t comfortable going off campus to make connections themselves,” Lopez said.
Being thrown into social settings is a motivation to seek helpful strategies, according to Burum. “Get out of your comfort zone, that’s the only way you’re going to succeed,” Burum said.
“Be comfortable in uncomfortable situations,” said Kao Sheng Thao, event attendee and career coach at the Career Center. According to the Career Center’s website, Thao provides personal career advising services and classroom presentations, collaborating closely with advisors and career counselors.
The Career Center offers year-round career fairs and professional development workshops for introverted students to practice their networking. “These are stepping stones. We’re not going to make students change their ways; we’re going to meet students where they are,” Lopez said.
Students seeking career support can visit the Career Development Center, located in the University Student Union, Room 306. For more information on upcoming events, visit the Career Center’s website.
