Networking

Building and Growing your Network

Identifying where and who to connect with can help the career exploration and decision-making process.

  • Informational Interviews are a great way to learn about a field/organization, identify skills needed in a job or field, to build your network and reflect on your thoughts about a field, job, and/or organization.
  • UNC HeelsEngage logoHeelsEngage will allow you to connect with Alumni and other UNC community members such as Students, Faculty/Staff, and Friends of the Community who support Carolina students. This is a great place to reach out, connect and learn from our community. Join the UNC MPA Group on HeelsEngage today!
  • LinkedIn operates the world’s largest professional network on the Internet. Individuals and companies use LinkedIn for networking, job searching, hiring, company research, and connecting with affiliates, including alumni, industry, and a variety of other business-related groups. Learn more about all the ways you can utilize LinkedIn in your career.
  • Another way to connect with alumni and explore first destinations of graduates is by utilizing the MPA First Destination of Grads database. All graduates in the database have agreed to be contacted, so feel free to reach out! (sign in to view via with your UNC email- also on MS Teams (professional development channel – MPA Career Services & Professional Development).
  • As you network and make connections, it is important to keep track of each connection. The Professional Network Tracking Excel can be tailored as you continually grow and engage with your network.
  • Mentorship is a packaging of professional networking, simply a different way to name networking opportunities. Provides an opportunity to build MPA community relationships, test ideas and gain insight on professional opportunities, and increase self-confidence and communication skills.

Please contact Allison Binkley, Director of Career, Alumni, and Employer Engagement and/or Shauna Hines-Farmer, Assistant Director of Career, Alumni, and Employer Engagement, with any questions regarding your career planning and development on the above topics or anything else related to your career.