Networking is a very useful tool, even for getting an internship. You might not feel like you have a network yet, but you do. It just might not come in the form of LinkedIn connections. Your parents, family friends, professors, classmates, and alumni from your school are all part of your network.

BenefitsWhile a referral might be your end goal for these conversations, they also help you: 

• Learn more about the company culture
• Get tips and insight into the hiring process 
• Build your own network
• Demonstrate your interest in the company during interviews by mentioning you have already spoken with employees
• Give you content to talk about when you are asked “Why do you want to work here?”

Networking AnxietyYou shouldn’t feel uncomfortable using your connections to help find opportunities or advance your internship search. While that’s an understandable concern, everyone uses connections at some point in their career. If you choose not to use your school or personal resources because you feel they’re unfair advantages, you would be forfeiting one of your few cards in the otherwise-uncontrollable internship process.

If you feel awkward about reaching out to people because you don’t like asking for help or feel like you’re taking their valuable time, think of situations in your life when you’ve been motivated to give back and help others. Software Engineers have all had mentors, and most are quite willing to be mentors for students.