Building Your Network: Career & Industry Connections for Graduate Students

Networking is more than exchanging business cards—it’s about building meaningful professional relationships that support your career goals. This seminar will explore effective strategies for networking online and in person and learn how to follow up to maintain connections. Participants will also gain practical tips for navigating conferences, finding mentors and sponsors, and creating a personalized networking plan they can use long after the session ends.

About the speaker: John Li is Executive Vice President of Culinary and R&D for Wonder North America, where he leads chef‑driven menu innovation for one of the fastest‑growing restaurant platforms in the U.S. Previously, John served as Vice President of Culinary Innovation at The Wendy’s Company and spent nine years at Bloomin’ Brands leading culinary growth across a global portfolio including Outback Steakhouse, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Aussie Grill, and Abbraccio Cucina Italiana. Earlier in his career, he spent 20 years at Kraft/Nabisco, driving product development and culinary leadership across North American foodservice and consumer brands. John holds a Master of Business Administration from The Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from Cornell University and an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts from Kendall College. 

This event is organized by the CFAES Office for Research and Graduate Education along with the Graduate Student Advisory Council.