Law students who hate networking tend to think of it as aggressively schmoozing to land a job or make connections that will be immediately (and directly) beneficial professionally. But what if we flipped the script? The most memorable and impactful “networking” actually happens when you lead with being genuinely helpful to others, which anyone can do! This month, we’re talking with master connector Susan McPherson (author of The Lost Art of Connecting) and Ingrid Busson-Hall (attorney and crisis-management specialist) about how to shift the narrative, so “networking” isn’t an icky thing you dread doing! In the meantime, here are some creative ideas for making connections by being a helper.
The Connector
You know those friends who seem to know everyone? Become one of those indispensable nodes in the law school social web. Introduce people who you think could benefit from knowing each other — a 1L wanting to get involved in a certain club with a board member friend, an aspiring corporate lawyer with a buddy at a startup, etc. Offer to make email/LinkedIn intros or bring everyone along to grab lunch. You never know what might develop!
The Skill-Sharer
Law school fosters competition, but some of the most fortifying connections come from sharing complementary skills. If you’re a wiz at outlining, offer a workshop for new 1Ls. If you used to edit your college newspaper, start an essay review group with a few classmates. If you have a knack for calming anxiety, offer to organize group meditations or teach a yoga class. Sharing your gifts freely builds goodwill, which can pay off later, when you have a bad week and need to borrow some class notes to get back up and running.
The Self-Care Starter
Let’s face it — law students can be an unhealthy, stressed out bunch. But having a robust self-care community is vital to avoiding burnout. Start a low-key walking/running club or weekly pickup soccer game to get those endorphins flowing. Organize trips to a paint-your-own pottery studio, some fun volunteer outings, or a recurring board game night. You’ll help others prioritize work-life balance while making quality connections. And probably keep yourself healthier and happier, too!
The Open-Source Oracle
Think you found some amazing study resources, life hacks, or discount codes? Spread the wealth! Create a public Google drive, Slack channel, or online portal where people can easily access and share useful info. You’ll quickly become a trusted node for students seeking insight.
The Skilled Listener
Often the most powerful way to help others is just to lend an ear without judgment. Deep, supportive listening is an underrated superpower that fortifies community. And it’s also something that can supercharge your legal career! So, start being that person people can talk with openly, knowing that you’ll never share their secrets.
The bottom line: a spirit of generosity, authenticity, and looking out for others will organically nurture your network in law school and beyond. Don’t just prioritize what you can extract from relationships. Focus on how you can contribute value to the lives of those around you, and you’ll find that you never have to do any icky “networking,” because you already have the connections you need to move forward, and the people you know are happy to help you meet others if you need to.
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