Networking Reflection
My most valuable networking experience was through the Notre Dame baseball team. We spent fall break in Chicago and had the opportunity to attend a networking event with numerous ND baseball alum, all of whom represented various industries in the professional world. The event started with a panel of all the alum. This was an inspiring start as my teammates and I could relate to many of their personal journeys, college experiences, and having no interning and work experiences throughout college due to summer ball. The alum each discussed their careers, how they were able to get their job, and insights into their industries. The speakers were so excited to be at this event and kept expressing how grateful they were to once again be apart of the baseball program and how they would love to be able to help each and every one of us. It was once again a reminder of the strength of the Notre Dame network.
After the panel we had breakout sessions by industry which allowed us to connect a little more personally with the alums and these were the highlight of the day for me. I had the chance to explore fields like law, finance, and sales, gaining insights into the day-to-day responsibilities, necessary skills, and potential career paths in each industry. What stood out was how willing the alumni were to share advice, provide guidance, and go the extra mile to help us out. Their openness to answering questions and offering candid advice is what made this my most valuable networking experience.
We concluded with a mixer that transitioned the event to an informal setting. Here, we could have conversations and build relationships with not only the alumni from the baseball program but also members of the broader Notre Dame Monogram Club of Chicago. My biggest takeaway was the strength of the Notre Dame network and its capacity to open doors, both professionally and personally. This experience has inspired me to stay engaged with the network, not only as a student but also as an alum in the future, so I can pay it forward the same way these alumni supported me.
