It’s back-to-school time! For you college students, that means returning to the place of your greatest untapped professional resource: the networking opportunities hiding all around you. After all, you never know who might help you land a fabulous internship or post-grad job opportunity.

One of the most powerful ways to land a job is through a referral, not to mention the career guidance, industry insight, or internship leads you could gain from someone in your network. At this stage, your best networking possibilities are your professors, student teachers, and career counselors. But for many young adults, networking can be intimidating, especially at large schools where the lecture hall is the size of a baseball stadium. Take heart: these folks were once college students too, and they will take pride in rooting for your success.

Here’s how to get on and stay on the networking radar:

1. Take the first step. Don’t be afraid to approach a potential networking contact. (You’ll have to make the first move in a large class, or your professor will never know you exist, Student #8675309.) Stand out from the crowd by getting your name on the radar; stop in for office hours or to ask for advice. Don’t be afraid to approach classmates, either. You’re all headed for diverse opportunities after graduation, and you never know when a shared connection (“We had Shakespearean Literature together!”) can get you an in. Be on constant lookout for valuable gems to add to your network.
2. Get involved on campus. Don’t skip the activities fair! Find out about your school’s wealth of networking opportunities, from Greek societies, to special-interest clubs, to honors societies, on-campus jobs, and more. You’ll be able to connect with like-minded students and access resources like mentors, speakers, and advisors.
3. Visit your campus career center. If you’re not taking full advantage of your school’s resources, get started! There should be a career center with all kinds of fabulous information, from internship and job postings (both on campus and posted by alumni), to resume and LinkedIn tips, job fairs, and interview assistance. It’s too good to pass up!
4. Create a LinkedIn profile. Facebook won’t fly in the professional world. You need to develop a solid LinkedIn profile that highlights your accomplishments and career objectives. Then you can begin requesting connections to professionals and peers you already know. And if you’re a creative, you should also consider building a website or an online portfolio to highlight your work.
5. Keep your network healthy. When you go to all the trouble to build a network, it’s not good enough to let it sit idle! You should invest in your network to work toward meaningful professional relationships. So when you meet someone at a job fair or you collect a business card, follow up with an email and/or a customized LinkedIn request. Keep your LinkedIn profile active with semi-regular updates and shared content, and engage with your network’s posts.

Networking in college isn’t easy, but know that it does get easier! Starting your network early will increase your chances of nabbing a great opportunity down the line, because you never know when someone can open a door for you.