Networking as an Introvert

Conversations - the start of potentially enriching connections. As introverts, there can sometimes be a preference for a smaller circle of friends, which overrides efforts to make new ones. Simultaneously, in a world where socialising is key to accessing opportunities and making new connections, it’s essential to sharpen such social skills without compromising our true selves. Personally, as a fellow ‘extroverted’ introvert, I enhanced these capabilities by attending LSE Summer School.

To begin with, LSE Summer School offers a huge number of places and events to meet people, allowing you to pick and choose where you feel most comfortable. One of the first places you can chat to people is in LSE accommodation. As a resident of Passfield Hall, I challenged myself to engage with different people over breakfast without feeling any pressure to speak with everyone in the cafeteria. Looking out for peers with similar interests, hobbies or passions can more easily enable stimulating conversations.

Furthermore, registering for the Summer School’s vibrant social programme, which includes theatre trips, a city walking tour and sunset cruise on the River Thames, provides opportunities to meet like-minded peers in a relatively short-time span. To optimise the experience, it's key that chosen activities fit with your own personal recreational interests. As a result, participating is less socially burdensome and it’s easier to blend in with others - even if it's only a few conversations with a few people it remains incredibly valuable.

Class seminars and Spark events offer wonderful opportunities to meet and engage with like-minded people. Personally as a IR120 Trade, Development and the Environment student, collaborating in class seminars made conversing with others less daunting. Class seminar readings and lectures created great conversation starting points. All class seminars required group discussions, one that stood out for me was a collaborative investigation on the benefits of a global tax on corporations. Jointly drawing from a Political Economy of Trade lecture we’d all attended and class readings on tax evasion made conversing with peers smooth. Additionally, attending Spark events enables one to not only boost their career future but also meet incredible people. Spark talks and workshops range from topics on digital skills, industry insights, job search skills, wellbeing and postgraduate study. By attending one of their many talks and workshops you are guaranteed to connect with likeminded people.

Lastly, remember to stay connected - either informally via social media or the Unibuddy app, or formally by exchanging email addresses. This ensures staying in touch with interesting people for a longer period in a way that’s personally convenient and comfortable. Plus, conversation starters no longer become as difficult. You can keep up with each other’s life updates by following each other’s social media posts and stories.

All in all, being categorised as an introvert does not limit one from actively socialising and networking with captivating peers and unlocking opportunities. Best of all, LSE’s Summer School environment provides a wonderful context to exercise these skills and grow in self-development, and varied opportunities to connect with other students. Everyone who attends is eager to meet new people and is experiencing LSE for the first time, so making friends is not difficult.

 

This blog was written by one of our 2023 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.