If the thought of networking and meeting new people feels daunting, you’re not alone. Three Capital One Students & Grads recruiters share real-world ways to create lasting connections and find the best fit, from your campus career fair to your final round interview.
Alix, a Students & Grads analyst recruiter, lights up when students treat networking as the start of the relationship, not a way to hand off their resume.
“I met someone at Comic-Con whose presence and curiosity stuck with me,” Alix said. “They were asking such great questions. We still stay in touch, and I share potential opportunities with them whenever I think they’d be a good fit. When you build rapport with a recruiter, you’ll get insights you won’t find anywhere else.”
Alix has a few tried-and-true tips for early career candidates to begin building those kinds of solid networking connections: printed resumes and a practiced pitch.
“Those details read as care and intention,” Alix says.
It’s also important to know that nobody expects you to have it all figured out yet. If you’re still exploring paths, say so. Use networking and conversations with recruiters for discovery—these chats help you learn what’s a good fit for your skills and interests.
Tip: After a career fair or company info session, send a brief note to the recruiter with a specific follow-up and a line about something unique you connected on. Then keep the thread going.
Shaelyn, a recruiter for Capital One’s Student & Grads tech programs, meets many strong coders, but the ones she remembers show why they’re curious about tech.
“We’re looking for your ability and willingness to learn,” she said. She recommends sharing the spark behind your interests—a first robotics meet up, a late-night gen AI project or the campus hackathon you joined.
Shaelyn also reframes a common myth: Networking isn’t a transaction to land a job on the spot—it’s relationship-building that helps you now and later.
“Shift your mindset from thinking about what the recruiter can do for you to what you can learn from the recruiter,” she says.
Your online presence also matters. On LinkedIn, Shaelyn suggests including your school, major, graduation year and goals, and always personalize any connection request with a short message.
Tip: When meeting recruiters on campus, open with a 15-second intro and one unique question about the company or role. Tie your answers back to a project or class you’ve enjoyed, showing you’re engaged and not reciting a script. Practice out loud! Career-fair rooms are loud and reps notice who’s prepared.
Erin, a Students & Grads product client lead, has one piece of advice she wishes she’d followed when she was a student: Get to your college or university’s career center early—your first year is not too soon. You’ll hear about early career programs and internships sooner, and you’ll meet employers before peak deadlines hit.
In her time at Capital One, Erin has seen how starting career discovery early on can change a student’s entire path. Her team blends on-campus touchpoints with robust virtual programming—interview-prep sessions, info chats and coffee conversations that help students feel ready for every step. “Not everyone can make it to a career fair or feel confident asking questions in person,” she said. “Offering both options makes it easier for every student to take that first step.”
For Erin, that accessibility and encouragement are at the heart of how Capital One supports students and new grads. “You’re changing students’ lives with one phone call,” she said. “That connection keeps me doing this work.”
Tip: Treat networking as an ongoing habit. Block 30 minutes weekly to:
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Capital One empowers their associates with career growth opportunities and a supportive community. Explore Students & Grads opportunities, drop into an interview-prep event or career fair and start networking away!
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