If you're in college and want to
land your first internship break into consulting get a referral, not a rejection work at a company you care about switch your major and still succeed stand out in a crowded job market find a mentor who opens doors turn a conversation into an opportunity graduate with a job already lined up build real connections, not just contacts land your first internship
your network matters™

Network Matters helps college students build the professional skills, relationships, and confidence to launch careers — through community, practice, and real employer access.

Apply for Fall 2026
Diverse students in workshop setting

Feel Unprepared? You're Not Alone.

The social capital gap is real - and it's not your fault. Many students feel underprepared for professional spaces, not because they lack ability, but because they lack practice and access.

😰

"I don't know what to say at networking events"

You stand in the corner with your phone, leave early, and beat yourself up for not being more outgoing.

📄

"My resume doesn't tell my real story"

You've got the grades and experience, but can't articulate your value in interviews or on paper.

🤝

"Everyone else seems more connected"

Other students seem to have built-in networks through parents, internships, or campus connections you don't have.

Built by Students, For Students

We believe that career readiness isn't about being perfect - it's about having access to practice and community. Network Matters is testing that hypothesis with our pilot program, creating a space where students build professional skills together in low-pressure, supportive environments.

150
Students Per Cohort
15-20
Employer Partners
Multiple
Semesters
16
Events/Year

We're not another one-off workshop. We're a community where you practice professional skills for an entire year alongside real employers and peers who are on the same journey.

Here's How It Works

A simple path from uncertain to unstoppable

1

Join the Community

  • Just $100/semester
  • Scholarships available for students with need
  • Connect with 75-150 peers on the same journey
  • Get matched with your cohort and facilitators
2

Practice with Purpose

  • Attend 8 interactive workshops per semester, 36 overall
  • MattersBot AI coach available 24/7
  • Engage with real employers in low-pressure settings
  • Build authentic professional relationships
3

Grow Your Confidence

  • Build a network of hundreds of meaningful connections
  • Track your progress with pre/post assessments
  • Land jobs through relationships, not just applications
  • Join a community that supports you beyond graduation

Join Our Founding Cohort

Fall 2026
Pilot Launch at University of Maryland
100
Students in Founding Class
15-20
Corporate Partners

Be part of the founding cohort that shapes this program. As a pilot participant, you'll help us prove that systematic practice and community can level the playing field for professional readiness.

The Earlier You Start, The Better

Professional readiness is built over time, not overnight. Students who join early compound their advantages semester after semester.

Students Who Start Early

  • Freshmen and sophomores land competitive internships
  • Build mentor relationships before high-stakes job searches
  • Practice professional skills in low-pressure settings
  • Develop confidence through repeated engagement
  • Graduate with a network already in place

Students Who Wait

  • Rush to build networks during senior year job searches
  • First impressions happen in high-stakes moments
  • Apply blindly without insider connections
  • Miss internship opportunities due to lack of preparation
  • Graduate still feeling underprepared

Open to undergrads and graduate students for Fall 2026

Join the founding cohort. Only 100 spots available.

Register Now - Limited Spaces

Ready to Stop Feeling Underprepared?

Join 100 students building career skills together this fall.

Apply for Fall 2026 Schedule an Info Call