Most of us are just beginning our careers. Sometimes navigating the road of professional development can be confusing. That is why honing in your networking skills can prove to extremely valuable to your career.

Professional business networking is defined as the effective linking together of individuals who, through trust and relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for one another by Stephanie Speisman, of 10 Tips for Successful Business Networking fame.

One solid way to build your contacts is to join a professional organization. Whatever your major is/was is a good place to start. Some of the national sites to some professional organizations are linked to the right. Professional organizations offer endless amounts of networking potential. Many hold annual conferences or conventions where you can go and meet people. It also provides a chance to talk to people you have met. Remember: It’s not what you know, or who you know….but how well you know them.

Many times the organizations hold career fairs for on the spot interviews. Be sure to attend the mixers and socials that are usually scheduled — those are also great ways to meet people and talk about career goals in relaxed settings.

Professional Organizations are also a way to keep abreast of industry news. Many industries have trade publications and many these organizations have their own publications that talk about the happenings in the industry and in the organizations.

Another great way to further your career goals, is to find a mentor in your field. Try to find someone who is established in the specialization that you are interested in, and pick their brains for all of the questions that you may have. Mentors can be a great resource when trying to figure out starting salaries, transitioning from student to young professional, how to ask for a raise, how to better your work product, etc.

Reach out to that person via e-mail or at a social event and ask them if you could meet for lunch. When I meet with my mentors, I update them on my progress and give them a few of my more recent clips so they can critique them and offer feedback. Here’s a brief guide to mentoring that I’ve put together.

Here are some tips to increase your networking potential:

- Have business cards made. There are plenty of places that you can make a set of inexpensive business cards to pass out to potential contacts. Places like Office Depot and Staples will create an order of 1000 cards for less than $20. An even more affordable option is VistaPrint.com. They have templates, or custom make options where you can order 250 cards for free. All you have to pay is the shipping and handling. Note: On your card you should put your name, title (even if you are a student, put your classification and major), basic contact information: standard professional e-mail address, contact number (cell phone numbers are acceptable) and that’s it. You can use your address, but it is safer to use a P.O. Box or work address to receive correspondance.

- Follow-up. Once you’ve made contact, whether it be at a meet and greet, over drinks, or at a career fair or conference, be sure to follow up with a hand-written note. Follow up e-mails are great, but a handwritten note will defintely make you stand out to your contacts. Every so often, update your contacts with what you have been doing. For example, as a journalist, I will send my contacts new clips that I have written, not because I need anything from them, but rather because I would like to keep them updated of my progress.

- Relax. Established professionals have been in your shoes too, and they are just as human as you are. Present yourself in a professional manner, but relax and be yourself when talking to people.

- Drink responsibly. It’s amazing how people take this for granted. Many networking events occur at places where alcohol is served. Employers and contacts like to see how you can handle yourself in different settings. if you decide to drink (which is perfectly acceptable) be sure to know your limit. My suggestion is that you nurse a glass of wine for the evening. Try not have more than two of whatever you are drinking. As a young professional you want to avoid being sloppy at all costs. Also, not drinking speaks just as loudly as drinking too much. Employers want to see someone who can float comfortably in social settings as well as a great work product. If you do not drink (which is perfectly acceptable) try drinking a glass of sparkling cider or a light wine spritzer.