What many people might not tell you about networking is just how awkward it can be. It requires putting yourself out there — being willing to fumble through conversations with strangers when you’re not entirely sure what to say. But over time, you learn: like sports, music, or any other skill, networking gets easier with practice. Athletes run drills, musicians rehearse scales, and professionals practice networking — ideally in low-stakes environments where a clumsy handshake or awkward silence won’t cost them the opportunity.
That’s what USM’s Career Hub Networking Dinner is all about. As Peter Hofmann from the Career Hub puts it, the event is meant to be “a low-pressure, sometimes awkward bridge” between students and professionals — a confidence builder where students can practice conversation and start seeing themselves as future professionals.
What makes the Networking Dinner different from a career fair?
The most recent Networking Dinner, held on Nov. 19, included dinner, mocktails and a chance to meet representatives from a range of industries and businesses, including MaineHealth, Portland Ballet, Diversified Communications, University Credit Union, Opera Maine, Martin’s Point Health Care, and Unum.
Unlike a typical career fair, the event offers a more curated group of employers and an intimate setting, allowing students to engage in deeper conversations.
“You can actually pick their brains about what they would suggest, and what tips they might give you,” said Sam Genovese, a senior political science major.
Networking Dinner first-timer: one sophomore’s story
Collin Page, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, attended the Networking Dinner for the first time this fall.
“What I expected to feel intimidating actually ended up being very easy and enjoyable,” he said. “Every employer I spoke with was approachable and genuinely interested in conversation.”
Even though Collin already had industry experience — he’s currently a Manufacturing Engineering Intern at Elmet Technologies — he found himself caught up in the momentum of the room.
“Aside from taking a quick phone call, I was almost constantly in conversation,” he said. “People were actively looking to connect, and something as small as making eye contact often led to an introduction.”
Those conversations sparked opportunities he wasn’t expecting.
“There were so many internship suggestions and application invitations that it almost felt impossible not to walk away with opportunities,” Collin said.
He left with new employer contacts for potential summer internships, connections with fellow students, and something less tangible but equally valuable: confidence in his ability to navigate professional spaces.
There were so many internship suggestions and application invitations that it almost felt impossible not to walk away with opportunities.
Collin Page ’28
Mechanical Engineering Major
Why one senior has attended three Networking Dinners — and keeps coming back
A three-time attendee of the Networking Dinner, Sam knows firsthand the value of engaging with Career Hub opportunities — his year-long internship with the World Affairs Council of Maine started with a Career Hub email during his sophomore year. But like Collin, Sam has found the real value of these dinners extends beyond job offers.
“Even if you don’t get to sit with somebody who you’re like, ‘Oh, wow, I really want to work for this person,’ if you’re willing to make conversation, they absolutely will give you something that you can take away,” he said.
Sam found himself getting the kind of insider advice that typically only comes from years of experience — or expensive mentorship programs.
“One of the employers gave me some very helpful tips about prioritizing previous experience on a resume,” Sam said. “She told me about where employers no longer care about certain experience because it’s far enough back — that kind of professional insight from somebody whose whole job is recruitment was really helpful.”
Some of the most valuable conversations Sam had were with his peers. Ted Campbell, a junior political science major and friend of Sam’s, secured an internship with the Secretary of State’s office through connections made at a previous Networking Dinner. This time around, they swapped tips about the internship application process and shared leads on opportunities outside the Career Hub.
“It’s a great chance to meet people in your major and ask, ‘Where have you been looking?’” Sam said. “You can help turn up opportunities that you otherwise would have missed.”
“That kind of professional insight from somebody whose whole job is recruitment was really helpful.”
Sam Genovese ’26
Political Science Major
A win-win: how Networking Dinners benefit students and employers
Students aren’t the only ones benefiting from the Networking Dinners. The employer representatives — invited based on their interpersonal skills and willingness to engage with students — gain a unique opportunity to connect with potential candidates they might want to recruit.
Since launching in fall 2023, the Networking Dinners have drawn roughly 50 students each semester, and maintained consistent and effective goals over time — helping students navigate the awkward dynamics of networking, giving them a safe space to see themselves as professionals, and strengthening their communication skills through authentic, unscripted conversations. And yes, feed them free food.
Sam’s advice for students who haven’t attended yet is straightforward: “The food is free, the drink is free, and people are very friendly,” he said. “You will get something out of it. I can promise that.”
Ready to warm up your professional voice? Whether you’re looking for your first internship, practicing your professional presence, or just trying to figure out what’s out there, the process will certainly have its awkward moments. The Networking Dinner gives students a place to work through those moments — and leave a little more confident than they arrived.
Ready to practice your networking skills?
The next Networking Dinner will be held in April 2026.
