The Bridgewater-Raritan High School library served as a hub for networking after school on Thursday, January 8, when the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) served as the host to an alumni networking session.
The event offered members an opportunity to learn from former FBLA students who applied their networking skills to build connections that lead to their current successes.
The session began with FBLA officers introducing the guest speakers: Vraj Shah and Rishikesh Ravi. Each alumni brought experience from their FBLA high school careers, providing students with insight into how networking plays an integral role in long-term success.
Following introductions, the alumni led a presentation explaining why networking matters, emphasizing that building relationships is not only useful for the job search process, but is also critical for one’s personal growth and discovering new opportunities. They framed networking as a skill that develops over time rather than simply from a single interaction.
Afterwards, the alumni discussed the mindset of a successful networker. They pointed out the value of confidence and authenticity when conversing with others. Rather than focusing on what can be gained from a conversation immediately, members were encouraged to approach networking with the goal of learning and building professional connections.
A large amount of time was dedicated to utilizing LinkedIn as a professional networking tool. The alumni spoke about how with LinkedIn, students can create strong profiles, connect with professionals and document their academic and career interests.
The presentation then continued with a discussion on leveraging connections. The guest speakers shared the methods by which networking can build relationships that can open doors to internships, advice and opportunities. They emphasized that leveraging does not mean asking for favors, but about knowing when and how to seek guidance.
Additionally, members were introduced to conversation starters and the importance of asking open-ended questions to start conversations. The alumni shared strategies for beginning meaningful conversations and keeping them engaging. These techniques are especially useful in conferences, interviews and other networking events.
Sophomore Parvathy Regi reflected on the key takeaways of the session and how the advice shared in the session applies to her.
“The most valuable strategy I learned was to confidently introduce yourself and follow up after meeting someone. It stood out because alumni emphasized that relationships don’t matter unless you maintain them, and a simple follow-up can make a big difference,” Regi explained. “The advice will encourage me to step out of my comfort zone, ask more questions, and actively build connections. I’ll be more intentional about networking and using opportunities like clubs, internships, and events to prepare for future academic and professional goals,” she added.
Maintaining relationships over time was another key topic. The guest speakers illustrated the importance of following up after conversations by staying in touch. The idea that consistent communication strengthens professional relationships was an underlying theme of the session.
Before concluding, the alumni discussed networking etiquette and professional behaviors. Tips were provided regarding appropriate communication, respectful behavior, professional clothing and making positive impacts in both online and in-person situations.
The networking session closed with a short Q&A session, allowing students to ask the alumni any remaining questions to the alumni for further clarification. Evidently, the networking session reflected FBLA’s commitment to equip students with the skills that will make them successful after leaving the classroom. By connecting current members with experienced alumni, the event underscored the value of communication, professionalism and relationship-building.
