By Harry Rogers Networking Networking support: top tips for building connections as a student 12 Feb 2026 Gareth John, qualified chartered accountant and tutor at First Intuition, explains how AAT students can network effectively to grow their career opportunities. Building a successful career in accounting isn’t just about what you know – it’s also about the connections you make along the way. Networking can open doors you didn’t even know existed. From starting conversations that feel more natural, to making the most of events, Gareth acknowledges that networking can feel like a scary task at first, but it’s more about the attitude you have towards it that can hold you back. “I’m gutted I didn’t start my networking journey earlier and younger,” he said. “It probably wasn’t until I was well into my 30s, maybe closer to 40, before I really started taking networking seriously. “You’re never going to be good at anything, whether it’s exams or networking, unless you embrace it mentally and you know why you want to do it. If you approach networking with quite a negative mindset, such as ‘it’s going to be scary’, or ‘I don’t see the point of it’, it’s never going to work. “It’s a bit of a cliché, but your network is your net worth. It would be very hard to measure the value of a network, but building relationships with potential customers and clients could lead to future business. “It’s about building relationships and building connections. This might lead to a sale at some point in the future, but that’s not the purpose straight away. I’ve met plenty of people I would now call friends through networking events.” How do you start a conversation when networking? The main thing to remember is that everyone going into a networking event is in the same boat. It can feel daunting starting a conversation with someone you don’t know, but Gareth suggests that speaking up also helps others. He said: “It’s important to never be afraid. You’ve got to remember everyone’s a little bit nervous when networking. Everyone’s a little bit shy. So, be kind and say hello to somebody and they’ll probably be really grateful you did. “I think the less you can talk, the better. The more you can prompt somebody else to tell you about them using nice, broad, open questions is a great place to start. So, at this time of year, I’ll often be saying to people, ‘what was your experience of last year?’ or ‘what do you think this year is going to look like?’, plus ‘have you got any major plans for this year?’ etc. “Also, don’t overthink it – you want to be imperfect, and you want to be vulnerable. I think vulnerability is a lot more appealing as a human being than people who have a perfect façade and the perfect career. I’m very, very open about problems I’ve had in my professional life and I think that helps you build a rapport much more quickly with people.” Don’t let shyness put you off There are plenty of introverts who work on their social skills to better their career opportunities at networking events, Gareth being one of them. He said: “Don’t let a lack of confidence put you off at all. I am an extremely shy person, I’m a huge introvert and I haven’t got a huge amount of confidence. Going into a networking event is my biggest fear, but I’ve learned to do it really well. “I’ve found that my own shyness and introversion is my superpower because it’s meant that I’ve had to do events in my own way. I’ve had to learn to adjust to them and now most of my current role is networking. “If you’re a bit nervous of going to networking events, you could always try organising your own because you’re in control. You can decide who’s coming and you’ll probably feel a lot more comfortable.” Virtual networking If you’re unable to attend in-person events to meet new faces, you can always try virtually meeting someone. Wherever it is, Gareth advises that students should always be thinking one step ahead after an initial meeting. He said: “The key thing with networking is the follow up that you do. Perhaps see if there’s any common ground, maybe even organise a virtual coffee if you can’t meet in person. It’s making sure you commit time to it. “I attend an awful lot of meetings online with different people, and I will always note down everyone who’s in that meeting so that later, I can send them a LinkedIn request. When you send somebody a link request, there is an option to add a message – always take that option. “Use that message to give context on where you might have crossed paths before, as it could be much later down the line that you reconnect. That message sits in your chat history forever, so if you build a large network, you’re able to refer back to when you first met them.” Go “chasing butterflies” and be punctual Gareth says that those who feel anxious about walking into a room full of strangers should be chasing that feeling, because it helps you grow professionally. “I get butterflies in my stomach when I’m doing something that makes me anxious or gives me that imposter syndrome feeling. A lot of people back off when they feel those butterflies as it can feel like something awful is going to happen. “I’ve learned now not to run away from the butterflies, but firstly accept them, and then chase after them. “If I’m making big decisions in my life or career and it doesn’t give me butterflies, I don’t do it. Why would I waste my precious time doing anything that doesn’t give me that adrenaline? That kind of nervousness is what helps you develop personally and professionally.” Finally, Gareth suggests that arriving early and getting to know a networking event organiser can have a profound effect on your confidence, and overall success of the experience. He added: “Always arrive early to a networking event, there’s nothing worse than being late and it’s already a crowded room where everyone’s already chatting. “Go early when there’s only another three people there because it’s so much easier to start conversations, and then other people will probably join you as they arrive. “I’m also a big believer in getting to know the organiser. I sometimes turn up before an event has started so I can get to know them. Usually, this means when other people start to arrive, they’ll introduce me.” 5 key takeaways from Gareth Be curious, be imperfect and be vulnerable. Don’t wait to start your networking journey. Don’t let shyness put you off – turn this into your superpower. Always follow up with someone after meeting them. Arrive early at networking events and get to know the organiser. These comments were taken from the Networking 101: Unlocking opportunity through connection webinar which took place during AccelerAATe 2026. To watch the full session, and find more useful content, click here. Further reading Make the most of social media networking How to build your personal brand while studying AAT What is AAT’s student advisory group and how can it help you? Harry Rogers is AAT Comment’s news writer.