A lot of students start networking a few weeks before graduation, right when everyone else does. That’s the hardest time to begin, because every message you send has a job request hiding in it. The good news is that networking apps for students make it easy to start earlier, while you still have the best excuse there is: you’re a student, and you’re curious.
Want to meet professionals who are open to helping students? On Kradoz, you set early-career networking as your goal, and a chat opens only when both of you say yes. Free on Android.
Why students should start networking before graduation
People reply to students. A message that says “I’m studying this and I’d love your advice” feels light, so busy professionals often say yes.
You also learn faster. Ten minutes with someone who does the job you’re curious about can save you a semester of guessing. And when internship season arrives, you’ll already know people who can tell you which teams are hiring and what they look for.
That’s why networking apps for students are worth installing in your first or second year, not your last. This matters even more for international students. Whether you’re studying in Toronto, Berlin or Manchester, early conversations teach you how hiring works in that country.
Professional networking apps for students, by goal
Not all networking apps for students are built for careers. Some are for making friends on campus. The list below sticks to the professional side.
LinkedIn is the base layer everywhere. Use the Alumni tool on your university’s LinkedIn page to see where graduates work, then filter by city, company or field.
Handshake is a career network for college students, with jobs, employer events and messaging. It started in the US and has launched in the UK with university partners.
Bright Network is popular with UK students and graduates for employer events and career insights.
Matcher is a Japanese app built around OB/OG visits, where students meet working professionals to ask about their jobs.
Your university’s alumni platform may be the most underrated tool you have. Many schools run mentoring programs that few students ever use.
Kradoz works differently from open networking apps, because students can set early-career networking as their goal and match only with people open to it. Profiles show role, industry, goals, academic level and interests. A chat opens only when both people say yes, so there’s no spam. It’s free, and it’s on Android now.
Free mentoring for students
You don’t need money to find a mentor. ADPList offers free one-on-one sessions with volunteer mentors in design, product, engineering, marketing and data. Your university’s career center can often connect you with alumni mentors too. Also check whether professional associations in your field offer student memberships, since many include mentoring.
For more no-cost options, see our guide on where to find a mentor for free. Our guide to finding mentors through networking apps covers how to ask well. Studying computer science or design? Read our guide for developers, engineers and designers.
How to build a profile when you don’t have experience yet
On most networking apps, students undersell themselves. You have more to show than you think. Mentors on networking apps can’t help students they can’t understand, so be clear about who you are and what you want.
Start with a clear headline: what you study and what you’re exploring. For example: “Mechanical engineering student at TU Munich, exploring EV battery roles.” Then add projects, club roles, part-time jobs, competitions and research. Each one shows you can finish something.
Also, use a clear photo and your real name. Finally, list two or three specific interests, because matching often runs on shared interests. If you’re heading toward research, our guide on how to network in academia covers conferences and emailing researchers.
Messages that get replies
Busy people skim, so keep your first message short, specific and easy to answer. Here’s a version you can adapt:
“Hi Sara, I’m a second-year economics student at Leeds. I saw you moved from consulting into climate finance. Could I ask you three questions on a 15-minute call next week?”
Notice what it doesn’t do. It doesn’t ask for a job, a referral or a mentor title. It asks for advice, which is easy to give. When you get the call, use a few coffee chat questions to get past small talk. Afterward, send a thank-you the same day. Then follow up a few weeks later with what you did with their advice. Our guide on how to follow up after networking has templates.
A one-semester networking plan
Here’s a simple plan that fits around classes and works with any of the networking apps for students above:
- Weeks 1 and 2: update LinkedIn, set up one focused app, and list 20 people you’d like to learn from.
- Weeks 3 to 6: have one conversation each week.
- Mid-semester: go to the career fair with three companies and three questions in mind.
- Weeks 7 to 12: attend one event a month, and follow up with everyone you’ve met.
- End of semester: thank people, and tell them what you decided.
Networking apps make this plan easier for students, but the habit is what counts. If talking to strangers drains you, read our networking tips for introverts.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best networking apps for students?
LinkedIn works everywhere. Handshake covers the US and UK, Bright Network is popular in the UK, and Matcher is built for OB/OG visits in Japan. Kradoz suits students who want early-career conversations with people who’ve opted in.
How do I network as a student with no experience?
Ask for advice, not a job. Talk about your classes, projects and what you’re curious about. Alumni from your school are the easiest place to start, because you already share something.
Are networking apps for students free?
Most are. LinkedIn has a free basic account, and Kradoz is free with no paid tier. Career platforms that partner with universities are usually free for students, while some general apps charge for premium features.
Is LinkedIn enough for students?
It’s essential, but it’s crowded. Pair it with your university’s alumni network, a career platform and one focused app. That mix gives you visibility and real conversations.
How can international students build a network abroad?
Join student associations and industry clubs, and search LinkedIn for alumni from your home country who work where you want to work. They know the transition firsthand, so they’re often happy to share what helped.
Kradoz for students: networking with mutual consent
Kradoz helps university and graduate students meet professionals, mentors and researchers who’ve chosen to connect. You set a goal, see people who fit it, and talk only when you both agree. If you’re research-minded, our page on academic and research discovery shows how researchers use it.
Get Kradoz free on Google Play and set your first goal today.
