By Grace Darcy
March 26, 2026
Networking can oftentimes be overlooked but arguably is one of the most important aspects in building your career, especially for business and media professionals.
With this have you ever struggled with networking? Where do I begin? How do I network?
This blog provides three tips and tricks on some networking methods that can help you learn and grow, no matter what major or career path you are on.
Attend campus events
Attending campus events is a great place to network and further learn how to network. It doesn’t have to be a networking specific event, any event can lead to networking. Although Texas State does occasionally host events geared towards networking and learning to network.
Whether it be a workshop, event, or a guest lecture in class, listen to everyone attentively and introduce yourself after if appropriate. Look for these opportunities on the Bobcat Organization Hub or for Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship specific events, check out our upcoming events page.
If you don’t have the opportunity to talk to these individuals, find their profile on LinkedIn and connect with them. When you send a connection invite, leave a note introducing yourself and say you enjoyed their presentation.
This leads into our next point on the importance of LinkedIn.
You may have noticed a pattern by now with these blogs - the importance of LinkedIn. I cannot stress enough the importance of having a LinkedIn account and building it.
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional platform and according to the website has over 1 billion users. Imagine how many of those users are entrepreneurs, business owners, college students like yourself.
LinkedIn is curated to allow users to share ideas, accomplishments and build your career. On this platform you can showcase the successes and growth of your business, as well as network with entrepreneurs.
You may be wondering, “how do I get started?” LinkedIn is such a large platform that it can be intimidating to figure out where to begin. I would recommend first to follow the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
By following the CIE our posts about events, workshops, and opportunities will be directed into your feed allowing you to keep track of more opportunities to grow and network.
Next send connection invites and follow business owners. Connect with classmates, professors, and acquaintances. Look at who these individuals are connected with and if you see someone who matches your business or career path, connect with them.
Building your connections on LinkedIn builds a network that you can learn from and grow with.
If you already have a LinkedIn account and are wondering how to make it the best it can be, check out a previous blog that provides tips and tricks on leveling up your LinkedIn account.
Talk to other business owners
Specifically if you are a business owner, talk to other business owners at markets. Learning from people who have experienced similar issues, successes, and failures will allow you both to grow. You can bounce promotion strategies off of one another and understand what works and what doesn’t.
On campus alone there are various markets that you can attend or vendor at. The CIE hosts Bobcat Bazaar which allows student business to vendor at the LBJ Mall. Attend these markets and support fellow student businesses. The next Bobcat Bazaar will be held Thursday March 26 from 1-4 p.m.
Off campus there is the Vanilla Bean Market which is hosted once a month at the Hays County Historic Courthouse. This market typically has over 50 vendors with various products they are selling. The next Vanilla Bean Market will be held Saturday April 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To conclude, networking is so important to expand your knowledge and become stronger entrepreneurs. Networking provides you with connections to build your strategies and opportunities to flourish your business.
For more information about the CIE events and activities, check out our upcoming events.
Follow us on all of our socials - LinkedIn and Instagram. To find our events list, visit our linktr.ee.
About the CIE:
“Where underestimated talent becomes unstoppable.”
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship follows a mission of providing hands-on experiences to turn into something meaningful and impactful. The CIE supports “underestimated people and early-stage ideas with strategy, grit, and belief.”
The vision of the CIE is to make Texas State University “a place where entrepreneurship and innovation are real and accessible to anyone with the courage to create.” The CIE provides opportunities for students, faculty, alumni, and the community to turn ideas into lasting ventures.
Media Contacts:
To become involved in the CIE as a student, faculty or staff, alumni, or community member, connect with the CIE team:
Quinn Valentine, Director for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, McCoy College of Business, at quinn.valentine@txstate.edu
Kendall Perkinson, CIE Program Coordinator
Email: kendallperkinson@txstate.edu