Hey everybody,

I will be starting at Yale's MBA program in the fall, and I'm getting kind of nervous. I know that networking is a big part of being in business school - in terms of meeting people who can help lead to eventual internships and hopefully jobs.

The problem is that I'm a bit of a shy person, and it's difficult for me to go up to people and just start talking to them. Does anybody have any advice?

I was just bumping this thread to see if anybody has any insight into this. I'd love to hear people's personal experiences - while be excited about getting into Yale I'm also super nervous!

You'll be fine. In the first people of the MBA you'll be having conversations just like those with your classmates and professors. By the time the employers arrive, you'll be well practiced. One observation I'd make is that that pace of networking in US business schools is very brisk and the matter is little transactional: the goal is to see what the other person's interests are, and if you can help them connect with someone you know - or if you might be interested.

Thanks Duncan, this is very helpful. Thinking of it as transactional makes it a little easier and less nerve racking!