Your First Professional Network: How to Connect, Grow, and Find Opportunities After Graduation

Graduating with your counseling degree is a huge accomplishment (seriously—celebrate that!). But once the confetti settles, many new grads find themselves asking, "Okay...now how do I actually build my career?"
The answer? Networking.
I know, I know — networking can sound intimidating or even cringey. But it doesn’t have to be! Think of it less like stiff handshakes and awkward small talk and more like connecting with the people who genuinely want to see you succeed. Here’s how you can start:

1. Reach Out to Who You Know

You don't need a huge Rolodex of contacts to start networking. You already have an incredible foundation. Think about your supervisors, professors, classmates, coworkers from your internship site — even your personal connections like friends, family, and community members.

Letting people know you’re on the job hunt (or even just exploring options) is one of the most powerful things you can do. People can’t help you if they don’t know what you’re looking for! Plus, you're not just planting seeds for job searching — you’re building relationships that could lead to client referrals, professional collaborations, and other opportunities down the road.

Send a few emails. Post a friendly note on your social media accounts. Mention it casually when you're catching up with someone. Your network can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

2. Attend Conferences and Other Networking Events

Graduating is the perfect time to start showing up at professional events.
Local and state counseling conferences are goldmines for networking. You can chat with exhibitors, meet other new (and experienced) counselors in sessions, and learn about organizations you might want to work with.

Even better? Many practices, agencies, and mental health organizations host networking events, open houses, and free CEU events — especially around graduation season. These events aren’t just about racking up free pens and brochures (although, hey, who doesn't love a good pen?). They’re about showing your face, asking questions, and starting conversations.

Pro tip: Follow counseling practices and organizations in your area on social media, subscribe to their newsletters, and keep an eye out for any events they post. If it's free for students or new grads — go! Even if you're a little nervous.

3. Build Your LinkedIn Profile Now (Not Later)

Seriously. Start it now while all your classmates, professors, and contacts are fresh in your mind.
When you graduate, you’ll likely lose access to your school email account — and trust me, it’s way too easy to lose touch with people you’ll want in your professional network later. LinkedIn gives you an easy way to keep those connections alive, even if someone changes jobs, moves across the country, or switches emails.

Even if you’re not super active on LinkedIn, it can serve as a professional "home base" where people can find you, see what you’re up to, and reach out for future opportunities (or referrals!).
Quick tip: Add a professional-looking headshot, a headline like "Provisionally Licensed Counselor" (or whatever your current title is), and a short bio about your passions and interests in counseling. That's enough to get started!

4. Use All Forms of Technology to Your Advantage

I get it — Facebook might feel a little outdated. But for counselors? Facebook Groups are the place for sharing referrals, resources, and job leads.
Search around to see if your city, state, or specialization has an active counseling group. Groups like "[State] Counselors Connect," "[City] Therapy Referrals," or groups based on identity, like "Counselors of Color in [State]," can be incredibly valuable.

And don’t stop at Facebook:

• Email listservs are still alive and kicking, especially in the counseling world. Ask your internship supervisor or professors if they know of any.

• Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit also have growing communities of therapists sharing advice, job postings, memes (because who doesn’t need a little humor right now?), and encouragement.

The more plugged in you are, the more likely you’ll hear about opportunities — sometimes even before they’re officially posted.

Final Thoughts

Networking isn’t just about getting a job right now — it’s about building a career community that grows with you over time. Start small. Be authentic. Stay curious.
Remember, most counselors are natural helpers. People want to support you. You just have to give them the chance to know you're out there. 🚀

You’ve worked hard to get to this point. Now let’s build the next chapter, one connection at a time.