Reflections on “Smith Start Networking Day”

Smith student Philip Peker ’18 writes about Smith Start Networking Day, held on Feb. 24, 2017, at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

To top off a week full of professional development for the freshman class, the Smith Start program had its culminating Networking Day on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, hosted by one of our most generous sponsors and partners, KPMG. This event allowed the freshman class to apply all the networking skills they learned throughout the week in a very realistic setting.

The freshmen were divided into six cohorts, and each cohort was assigned a time to attend this cocktail-style networking event. From 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., about 20 or so KPMG partners, associates and recruiters mingled with these six cohorts of eager freshmen, hungry to get their first try at professional networking. The room was set up with dozens of cocktail tables, where students and KPMG employees could enjoy delicious finger food and fruitful conversations. 

It didn’t take long for the students to shed their shyness and ease into conversations with the KPMG representatives. Soon enough, the room was abuzz, with each table breaking past small talk and diving into the meat of what networking is all about. As I walked around, I heard students left and right confidently delivering their brand statements, but then allowing the conversations to take a life of their own. James Edwards, the KPMG campus development manager who we met earlier in the week, was again, at the center of the room, supervising the event, alongside Kristen and a few student ambassadors.

A native of Baltimore and a proud Smith alumna, KPMG representative Brandon Carrera was excited to attend Smith Start Networking Day and participate in helping freshmen firmly plant their feet in developing professionally. As a rising senior at Smith, Brandon interned at KPMG in the IT Advisory department, and then upon graduating, went on to become an associate. Now, as senior associate in the Risk Consulting department at KPMG, Brandon looks fondly back on his time at Smith. “Smith makes it easy to surround yourself with people that will not only help you directly but motivate you to work harder,” says Brandon. When asked if he can identify one particular experience that defined his career path, he did not hesitate.  “When I joined the professional business and economics fraternity Phi Chi Theta, everyone around me knew much more and had all these amazing internships, and so inevitably, their wisdom flowed down to me. At Smith, the community you’re a part of defines your future, so choose wisely, and you will be rewarded.” Wise words from a professional who leveraged his experiences at Smith and is now commanding his career.”

Sometimes, it is hard to see yourself in Brandon’s shoes as a freshman; the adult life seems so far away and distant. However, the first few steps are as important as the last few that lead up to your first job.

For some students, Friday’s event was all about learning by doing. “Today really helped me realize that networking is much more than a robotized give-and-take conversation. Networking is the art of relationship building, and a lot goes into it, like thinking on the spot, and being adaptable,” remarks Alina Gaynutdinova, a freshman business student excited for her future as a Smith Terp.

For other students, it was about learning how to have a good time, while still showing your professional side. “You know, today I learned that my handshake is a little too strong. It’s something that I am really looking forward to improving,” laughed Ted Sauerland, a marketing and international business double major. It’s easy to forget that with all the pressure there is to look your best, speak your best, and show your best, adding levity and humor to professional situations can take your conversation from good to great.

For more information about the undergraduate program at Smith, visit: www.rhsmith.umd.edu/undergrad.