Networking can often be intimidating, but The LinkUp event earlier in October proved that it doesn’t have to be. Hosted by the Career Center, The LinkUp event brought together students and alumni for an evening of professional panels and open networking. By showing up with confidence, even if you’re nervous, you’re already taking an important step towards your future.
To prepare for this event, I learned who was coming through the Handshake event online. I researched the speakers who were on the media panel by finding their LinkedIn profiles and learned a bit about what they do for work. I also attended a drop-in appointment at the Career Center and got my own LinkedIn profile reviewed. That extra bit of preparation made me feel more confident about how I would appear to alumni when following up with them online.
I walked into the event alone, scanning the media panel room for a place to sit. The event began with a discussion featuring four professionals who shared how they got to where they are now, mistakes that shaped their careers, and advice to help students enter the workforce. It was the first panel I had ever attended, and it offered valuable insight into the various media roles, how to prepare for interviews, and important tips about building my network.
There was a great range of professions from broadcasting, publishing, and marketing. All the professionals on the panel did great, but Maria Pietropola stood out to me the most. She is currently working as a Senior Content Design Manager at PNC Bank, a role that differs from her former positions in marketing and shows how career paths can evolve in unexpected and exciting ways. Listening to her answer questions helped me to build the courage to speak with her after the panel ended. I remembered that she mentioned originally wanting to go into journalism, so I kept that in mind.
After the panel, we moved to the WPU Assembly Room, which was buzzing with eager students already talking with professionals in addition to the panelists. I loved the way the room was set up, with round tables labeled by company, refreshments in the center, and a friendly, open environment that encouraged students to move around and talk. When I built up the courage to go speak with Maria, we talked more about her career journey. She told me about starting out in freelance journalism before transitioning to marketing roles at Rue21, which eventually led to her current role at PNC. Hearing that her path wasn’t perfectly linear, reassured me that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away.
During our conversation, Maria mentioned her personal website and portfolio, which inspired me to start creating my own. I also opened up to her about my uncertainty surrounding which direction I want to take after graduation, and she shared practical advice about staying engaged and finding roles where you can learn and grow while starting out.
It is important to follow up on connections you make at these events, so I was quick to explore her website and connect with her on LinkedIn. The next day, I reached out to her to thank her for the conversation and ask about her feelings regarding the event. She was impressed by how engaged students were this year: “There was a student who came to the event and sought me out because she had recently interviewed at PNC for an internship. That takes courage, and I appreciated the conversation we had.” She reflected on how returning to Pitt as a mentor felt meaningful. “I really enjoy engaging with students in that way. And I also feel like I learn things while talking with all of you,” she reflects.
Her final piece of advice really resonated with me: “Applying for jobs is not a ‘set it and forget it’ type of thing. Stay engaged, reach out to companies, and follow up. Utilize your contacts to get your foot in the door.” This experience reminded me that networking isn’t about making a perfect impression. It’s about showing up, learning from others, and taking small steps to grow your confidence. I left the event feeling motivated, more prepared, and excited to keep building meaningful connections along the way.
Don’t wait for connections to come to you. Take advantage of the Career Center events and build them yourself. The next LinkUp for Healthcare, Science, Engineering & Sustainability is on Wednesday, November 5! Make sure to get your resume and/or LinkedIn profile reviewed in a drop-in appointment before the event!
