Building and maintaining professional relationships is one of the most valuable career strategies you can adopt. Whether you’re a former intern or an experienced professional, staying in touch with colleagues can open the door to future opportunities, mentorship, and collaborations. Thanks to today’s networking tools and platforms, it’s easier than ever to nurture these connections.
Here are six proven ways to keep in touch with former co-workers, managers, and internship colleagues.
1. Stay Active on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is the leading professional networking platform and a must-have tool for anyone serious about career growth. Create a polished LinkedIn profile and add your colleagues, supervisors, and mentors as connections.
By doing so, you can:
- Track the career progress of former coworkers.
- Congratulate connections on promotions or new roles.
- Join alumni groups like the LinkedIn Intern Group to stay updated with former interns.
- Send occasional, personalized messages to keep relationships warm.
Regularly share professional updates, articles, or insights on your LinkedIn feed to stay visible to your network.
2. Use Social Media for More Casual Connections.
While LinkedIn is for professional networking, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (X) allow you to maintain more casual relationships.
However, keep these tips in mind:
- Add colleagues closer to your age or those you bonded with personally.
- Be mindful of what you post. Controversial or unprofessional content could affect your reputation.
- Use X to follow industry leaders and engage in conversations relevant to your career.
Create separate friend lists or privacy settings on Facebook so you can control what your work contacts see.
3. Stay in Touch via Email.
Email remains a classic yet powerful way to maintain professional connections. Save work email addresses in your contacts and don’t hesitate to reach out occasionally.
Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Share an interesting article, industry news, or even a light-hearted meme relevant to your office culture.
- Keep messages short, thoughtful, and respectful of their time.
- Send holiday greetings or check-ins during significant company milestones.
4. Attend Company Events and Networking Meetups.
If your former employer or internship program hosts alumni events, conferences, or networking meetups, make an effort to attend.
These in-person opportunities allow you to:
- Reconnect with colleagues and supervisors.
- Meet new employees and expand your professional circle.
- Stay informed about company updates and industry trends.
Pro Tip: Bring business cards or update your digital contact info before attending events.
5. Reconnect When People Are in Your Area.
Sometimes the best networking opportunities come naturally. If a former co-worker is traveling through your city for a conference or moving nearby, reach out and make plans.
Face-to-face interactions can:
- Strengthen professional trust.
- Turn work acquaintances into long-term friends.
- Create lasting memories that go beyond just workplace conversations.
6. Visit the Office When You’re in Town.
If you return to the city where you interned or previously worked, don’t miss the chance to stop by the office.
When planning an office visit:
- Reach out to your former supervisor in advance.
- Schedule a quick coffee or lunch to catch up.
- Ask about current projects and express genuine interest in the company’s progress.
This shows that you value the relationship and remain invested, even from afar.
Professional networking doesn’t end when your internship or job does: it’s a long-term investment in your career. By staying connected through LinkedIn, social media, email, events, and in-person visits, you can maintain meaningful relationships that might lead to mentorship, references, or even future job opportunities.
Start small today: send a quick LinkedIn message, RSVP to a company event, or email a former co-worker. Your network is one of your greatest career assets, so make the effort to keep it alive.
