Practicing Networking Skills while Building an International Community with Wagner International Student Society (WISS)

The Power of Building a Professional Network of Support

Throughout the evening, participants shared and related to their own experiences and how they translated their education into practical professional experience. Knowing that you’re not alone in your journey was a key lesson that students expressed. As they practiced their pitches and networking skills, students were able to further build on their professional network. Some participants remarked that it was surprisingly easy to find commonalities and shared experiences during the networking exercises. Whether it was through internships and extensive community building, Wagner students received valuable insight from those alumni who were formerly in the same position, hoping to reach similar goals. The power of connecting in person and getting the “inside scoop” from alumni working in a field of interest was shared as a highlight during the debrief.

“The advice from our alumni is super useful, especially with the challenges international students are dealing with right now—moving away from home, adjusting to new cultures, and tackling imposter syndrome,” says Wawa Kulatnam, a first-year MPA-HPAM student. “These workshops not only improve our networking skills but also make us feel connected to others who understand what we're going through, who were in our shoes, and were feeling what we feel right now.” 

Yidan Wang, a featured alumna, expressed similar feelings towards the workshop: “Just a couple months ago, I was the same as the audience. I am happy to offer my assistance to them. I greatly appreciate all the resources and support from the Wagner community as well.”