Networking and Finding Mentors · Lesson 7 of 8 · 10 min

Keeping in touch and giving back

Most networks fade because people only get in touch when they need something. A simple system for staying in touch, and a habit of helping others, keeps relationships alive for years.

Close the loop

UCL Careers advises keeping in touch with mentors, updating them on your progress and thanking them for their help.
When you act on someone's advice, tell them. UCSF's sample follow-up, sent 2 to 3 months after a conversation, explains what the student did with the advice.
If someone helped with a referral, the Graduate Recruitment Bureau advises updating them on the outcome, whatever it is.
Example: 'I wanted to let you know I took your advice and joined the university's engineering society. I'm now helping organise our first site visit. Thank you again for the suggestion.'

A simple keep-in-touch system

Keep a basic contact note or spreadsheet: name, how you met, date, what you discussed and the next step.
Fordham suggests following up every couple of weeks in the first month after a coffee chat, then sending a progress update every couple of months.
Set a calendar reminder to check in with key contacts once or twice a year, for example at Eid, New Year or the start of the academic year.
Reconnect only with a genuine reason, such as an update, thanks for advice, or a related new question (Graduate Recruitment Bureau).
Keep messages short. A few sentences is enough.

Good reasons to get in touch

You finished something they helped with: an application, exam result, project or new role.
You saw an article, event or opportunity they would value. The National Careers Service gives sharing an online article as an example of offering something back.
They have news, such as a new job or an award. A brief, sincere congratulations is welcome.
Seasonal greetings are fine, but add one line of real news so it does not feel automatic.

Giving back, starting now

Networking is reciprocal (National Careers Service), and you can help others at any age.
Help younger students: answer questions about subject choices, university applications or settling into a new city.
Make introductions when two people would benefit, but ask both first.
Volunteer with societies or youth programmes. TARGETjobs notes that professional bodies often run STEM ambassador outreach that students can join.
When you graduate, consider signing up as an alumni mentor yourself, the way the volunteers on UCL's and Trinity's platforms did.

When a contact goes quiet

People get busy. A lack of reply does not necessarily mean your message was inappropriate (Graduate Recruitment Bureau).
Send one polite follow-up, then leave it. The Graduate Recruitment Bureau suggests one follow-up after seven to ten days, then stopping.
Do not take it as a reason to stop helping others or networking. Put your energy into people who are responsive (Washburn University Career Services).

Practise in real life

Tick each one off when you have done it.

Start a simple contact list with at least five people who have helped you, with the date you last spoke and one next step for each.
Send one 'closing the loop' message to someone whose advice you acted on.
Offer to help one younger student with something you know well this month.

Remember

Close the loop: tell people what you did with their help.
Keep a simple contact list and set reminders to check in.
Get in touch with a genuine reason, and keep it short.
Give back by helping younger students, sharing useful things and volunteering.

Check yourself

1. What does UCL Careers advise you do after a mentor has helped you?

2. After the first month following a coffee chat, how often does Fordham suggest sending a progress update?

3. Which is a genuine reason to reconnect with a contact, according to the Graduate Recruitment Bureau?

4. What example of giving something back does the National Careers Service mention?

5. Someone helped you get a referral, and you did not get the job. What should you do?