Career Prep 2009 Summer Blog

Lia Whisler of Harvard College suggests: Try to find out what things you have in common so that you have a jumping off point to start a conversation. Google, Facebook, Twitter -- Find something, but don't make it obvious how you found it out. Say "So you mentioned earlier..." even if they never did. They won't actually remember that they didn't and now you have something to talk about. Anrae Motes of MIT writes: Invite a peer to lunch or to a social event to get to know them. Jared Hamilton University of Pennsylvania-Wharton states: I would avoid asking for dinner with a coworker at first, because that has a more intimate feeling to it than lunch or coffee. He also adds, it is a good idea to be straightforward as you try to connect with your peers. Let them know that you want to get to know them better, and ask if they would like to grab lunch or coffee when they have time...keep it simple.