Johnson Follies

Connect!

Taking the GMATs, researching schools, sending out applications, interviewing—it’s a lot of work. Your reward? You got to your top choice school! Way to go.

With only a few weeks left before you 2011 AMBAs head to Ithaca for an incredibly intense summer, there are a few things I would encourage you to do. I’ve been thinking long and hard about lessons learned since I’ve gotten here and what I wish I knew a year ago and I’m just not sure I’ll have enough time to you all of them, so I’ll start with the most important:

TAKE THIS TIME TO START BUILDING YOUR NETWORK.

I know-- I hate that phrase too. “Build your network.” It sounds all smarmy but it’s not just some business school thing. Your network is an incredibly powerful tool, not just for your benefit, but so that someday you can pay it forward, and pay it lateral, or vertical, or whatever you want.

Step 1: Build your linked in profile. If you don’t have one already, it doesn’t take too long to do and you can edit it whenever you want so don’t stress too much. Start here:

http://www.linkedin.com/nhome/

Build your resume online and import contacts from your various email accounts. Now, start joining groups. Find me! Add me! Why not?

Groups connect you with people you might not know already, but would most likely be open to hearing from you. Groups can be based on affiliation to a company you’ve worked at, a school you’ve attended, a place you’ve lived, or an industry you’re interested in joining. If you haven’t already, connect with other Johnson School People by joining this one:

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=52766

Step 2: Start reaching out to Johnson School Alums in your town, at your work, or at a place, company, industry, function you’re interested in working in. You can do this through LinkedIn but also through the Johnson Alumni Connection:

https://admin.johnson.cornell.edu/alumni/

Log in using the username you got in your acceptance package and the same password you use to access your Johnson School Application online. You can always have your password reset if you don’t remember. Use this as a tool to check out Johnson School Alums in your town and reach out to them. If their name is listed in the directory, they want to hear from you and they want to help. REALLY!

Step 3: Don’t be shy. Now you know where to find people to connect with, now CONNECT!

My assignment for you is to find one person a day to reach out to. Be polite, mindful of their time, and do your homework. Have specific, thoughtful questions to ask—ask for advice, ask them about their jobs, and ask them about how best to use your time at the Johnson School. Alums are full of good advice and it’s important for you to start reaching out NOW. If you can, try and see if you’re able to set up a few informational meetings and perhaps meet up for coffee.

This isn’t about getting a job. No one is just going to hand one over to you. Don’t specifically target people because they have a C-level title, and don’t shy away because they’re C-level either. Just show some respect and LEARN. That’s what it’s all about.