Meet Hannah Felt (BS ’23), project manager at an architecture firm in Eugene and the latest alum featured in our video series, Alumni Insights: Career Advice from Ducks in the Wild.
Since graduating from the Lundquist College of Business, Hannah has gained experience in marketing, operations, grant writing, and project management while working for a small firm. Her early career has already shown her the value of strong professional relationships—and how intentionally building and maintaining those connections can shape your career.
In this interview, Hannah shares practical advice for students about networking, maintaining professional relationships, and building meaningful connections in the workplace.
Build Relationships Inside Your Organization
One of the most valuable pieces of advice Hannah received early in her career was to spend the first few months in a new role getting to know the people around her.
Rather than focusing only on tasks right away, she took time to ask colleagues about their backgrounds, roles, and experiences. These early conversations helped build a foundation of trust and familiarity.
By investing time in those conversations early, she found it became much easier to collaborate later when she needed support or insight from colleagues.
Say “Yes” to Networking Opportunities
For Hannah, one of the most effective strategies for expanding her professional network has been simply saying “yes” to opportunities to meet new people.
Whether attending industry gatherings, community events, or professional meetups, these environments create space to cultivate new relationships and learn from others in your field.
Going with someone who already knows people at the event can also help make networking feel less intimidating. “I always try to go with someone who I work with that knows other people and kind of use them as an introduction,” she shared.
Remembering Your Existing Networks
Another strategy Hannah recommends is recognizing that your personal network is often much larger than it initially appears. By connecting through colleagues, classmates, and mentors, you gain access to a broader community of professionals.
“Sometimes our network feels smaller, but when you look at the networks of people around you, all of a sudden it’s this massive network,” she revealed. Leveraging these shared connections can create warm introductions and help establish credibility when meeting someone new.
Maintaining Professional Relationships
While making new connections can be exciting, Hannah believes maintaining those relationships is often the more challenging part.
One simple habit that helps Hannah stay connected?
“If I have a meeting with someone, I jot down a couple notes afterward about something they talked about or something I want to follow up on,” she explained.
She also recommends staying in touch through occasional check-ins, whether that’s scheduling coffee, sending a quick message, or reconnecting when something reminds you of their work.
Support Others in Your Network
Strong professional relationships are built on mutual support. One way Hannah strengthens her connections is by introducing people in her network who might benefit from knowing each other.
“Sometimes I’m in a meeting and something really resonates with what someone else I know is doing, so I’ll make an introduction.”
These small actions help create value for others while strengthening your own professional relationships.
“The most valuable relationships are when you understand what each other is looking for in that relationship,” Hannah reflected. When people feel understood and supported, those relationships often become the most rewarding and productive parts of your career.