Your Guide to Networking the Thanksgiving Table

How to Network During the Holidays with Family, Thanksgiving and Christmas

Thanksgiving break is often the first time your student will be home since leaving for college. It is a much shorter break than others and is often spent studying for finals or catching up with friends from high school. Your student may be feeling the stress of the semester weighing on them and their time at home goes quickly! They also may be getting that sometimes dreaded question from well-meaning friends and relatives: “So what are you planning on doing with your degree?” 

This is a great time to encourage them to begin thinking about the future and their plans for internships and jobs over the next few years. While they don’t need to have every detail figured out right now, there are low-stress opportunities to explore careers of interest even during Thanksgiving break! 

Whether your table will be filled with close family members or a few new additions to your typical crowd, the holidays can be used to the advantage and professional development of your student. Here are our top three suggestions to help your student make the most out of their break, both personally and professionally.

1. Take Notice of Who is Around The Table

Thanksgiving is an excellent time to engage in meaningful conversation with family. 

If family members are present that they have known for years, arrange seating so that an aunt or uncle who may have connections in an industry that your student has shown interest in can dine next to one another. This can help the natural conversation flow and might make your child more confident and excited about the questions or interests they have. Invite your student into the seating chart planning too! Allow them to arrange the seating chart, and come up with conversation starters in advance so your student feels comfortable discussing their interests. 

2. Lean Into Curiosity 

Encourage your child to have an open mind and lean into curiosity about the people they are meeting over the holidays. Friends and family might have helpful advice about the interview process or the best ways to find a job or internship. If an opportunity presents itself to shadow a professional for even just an afternoon while home on school vacation, encourage them to take it! Your student is at an age where it helps to be inquisitive, and they may end up learning about something they didn’t know was an option, just by listening closely and being an attentive conversationalist. 

3. Follow Up!

Did Aunt Maya offer to have your student shadow her at the hospital? Cousin Daniel offer to take a look at their resume? These are great opportunities. Remind your student that they have a network of people who are more than happy to help them, but it’s their responsibility to reach out and follow up on their Thanksgiving conversations. 

If your student is in need of additional support as they head into the upcoming semester, do not hesitate to click here and get in touch with our team to find out if College Success Plan is for your family. 

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