Leverage the DU Network to Get Your Foot Into the Door for Policy, Law, & Government

Like any other industry, networking matters, and with the vast number of University of Denver alumni who have found career success in Government, Policy & Law, building those strategic connections can make all the difference.

Whether you’re considering a career in Federal Government, Non-profits or NGO’s, the legal field, etc., utilizing network connections will be a huge benefit to you. The value of networking and informational interviews is not just to get your name out there, but also to gather information that will be valuable to you as you continue to job search. As Heather Kerrigan from govloop.com states, you’re not asking network connections for a job, but rather more about their work and their field. The point being that if you’re able to have an engaging conversation with an industry professional or alum in your field of interest, they’re likely going to remember you when opportunities arise.

Though none of this is easy, there are tools to make this experience a bit more palatable. Don’t miss the opportunity to leverage LinkedIn as a way to make connections. The DU Alumni page on LinkedIn offers a data set of over 88,000 DU alums. This is not only a great tool to research the career paths of alumni, but also to build connections with those working in careers that also interest you! Join one of the many DU groups on LinkedIn to further leverage your connection. The University of Denver Alumni group has almost 13,000 members.

Ultimately, the benefit of building connections is that it will give you an advantage in pursuing positions where you already know someone connected in some way to that job or that organization. Though your resume/CV/cover letter, virtual brand, and interview skills also have to be strong, building connections can be the most effective tool of getting you in the door.

For more questions about building connections in Government, Policy, or Law, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your Career Advisor to discuss further.

By Andrew Gupton
Andrew Gupton Career Advisor