Networking Tips
Network during your job hunt to develop
a group of useful professional contacts.
Join ATPE and professional
organizations related to your specialty—and get involved.
At ATPE university local unit meetings, you will meet guest speakers and learn about challenges facing
beginning educators. Members typically discuss topics at
regular meetings such as hiring practices and working with
students’ parents.
Professional conferences such as the ATPE Summit,
provides an opportunity to meet leading educators and learn about current education
issues. Volunteering as an ATPE local unit leader provides you with leadership
development and networking opportunities.
“We have a history of students who come to the ATPE
[Summit] and make impressions on professional members who eventually hire them. Sometimes students who go to ATPE’s regional meetings also end
up getting requested as student teachers.”
Sylvia Artmann,
former DBU ATPE sponsor
Attend job fairs.
Job fairs allow you to meet prospective employers in a neutral, relaxed setting. Take updated copies
of your resume. Job fairs are often advertised on school district websites.
Keep an open mind.
Don’t rule out an opportunity just because you think you’re not
interested. Talk to recruiters from districts you haven’t considered and you might find out something that changes
your mind.
Talk to everyone you know.
Your parents’ friends, your dentist or your hairdresser might know
someone who would want to hire you. Don’t be pushy, but don’t be
afraid to casually mention you’re looking for a job and the kind
of opportunities that might interest you. |
