Career Capital Café: How to Network Without Feeling Fake

How to network without feeling fake.

Networking can feel awkward, intimidating, or even a little performative, especially when you’re just starting out.

This masterclass is designed for tertiary students who want to build confidence in professional conversations without pretending to be someone they’re not.

We’re keeping it practical: less theory, more practice. You’ll work on your elevator pitch, practise starting and deepening conversations, learn how to exit gracefully, and write real follow-ups that don’t sound forced.

Think: clearer introductions, better conversations, and the confidence to show up in rooms that used to feel intimidating.

This session is hosted by Club Finterest, in collaboration with AIA, with the focus on practical career and communication skills for students.

No prior networking experience needed.

Target Audience

University students who want to get better at networking, professional conversations, and career confidence.

Especially for students who:

Find networking awkward or intimidating

Don’t know how to introduce themselves clearly

Struggle to start or continue conversations

Feel unsure about how to follow up after meeting someone

Want to build career confidence in a practical, beginner-friendly setting

What you’ll learn

Myths & mindsets on why networking isn't fake and isn't just for extroverts

Crafting an impactful and memorable elevator pitch

Starting, deepening, and exiting conversations

Communication techniques worth stealing

The follow-up; the most overlooked, highest-payoff skill

Program Schedule

10:00 AM — Welcome & mindset reset
Why networking feels awkward, and how to approach it differently.

10:20 AM Elevator pitch practice
Build and refine a short self-introduction that sounds natural and memorable.

10:50 AM : Conversation drills
Practise starting, deepening, and exiting conversations with confidence.

11:30 AM : The follow-up
Write real follow-up messages based on realistic networking situations.

11:50 AM : Reflection & closing
Key takeaways, next steps, and how to keep practising after the session.

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM : Optional networking
Stay back to practise what you learned, meet other attendees, and continue conversations in a relaxed setting.

Important Note

This is a small-group, hands-on session. To keep the experience useful, spots are limited and registration may be subject to approval.

Once you complete your registration, we’ll let you know if you’ve received a spot. Keep an eye on your inbox.

Collaboration Note

Hosted by Club Finterest in collaboration with AIA.

This is a practical networking and career skills masterclass for students. The session is focused on confidence-building, communication, and professional growth.