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When it comes to networking advice, students and early-career professionals are often encouraged to "cold email people who inspire you and ask for a quick coffee chat." While this sounds simple, the reality is often more challenging. To start with, reaching out to industry leaders and asking for a coffee chat can feel intimidating. Secondly, busy professionals may not always respond to cold messages, which can be frustrating.
That’s why Open Avenues is here to break down those barriers and deliver expert guidance straight to you. Welcome to the first edition of our Coffee Chat Series, featuring Nick Sykes.
Nick is an accomplished leader in technology and social impact, most recently serving as Chief People and Impact Officer at Fearless Technologies, where he bridges technology, finance, and sustainability. Keep reading for his invaluable advice tailored to students and early-career professionals.
A: “The number one skill for candidates is being an expert in multiple domains, as it demonstrates a deep understanding of how different fields intersect, allowing them to drive innovation and contribute to strategic decision-making in a more holistic way.
Second is having soft skills.
The context demands us to identify a problem, frame it, express a path to solving it and get other people’s buy in. Therefore, candidates should be able to communicate complex things in a straightforward way. Not to mention the ability to solve problems collaboratively. These are essential skills for today’s professionals.
Finally, having intellectual humility is crucial—being open to asking questions and acknowledging mistakes shows a willingness to learn and grow. This not only fosters personal development but also builds stronger relationships in the workplace by encouraging collaboration and trust.”
A: “The most important thing in a market like this (complex, competitive and uncertain) is definitely networking. Building meaningful connections can open doors to opportunities that aren't always advertised, while also providing valuable insights and support from industry professionals who can guide your career development. For example, a student who does a Build Project with Open Avenues is getting professional experience and professional social capital which is a major differentiator.
Second to that, always try to demonstrate passion for what you do or what you are learning. If you are studying AI, try to go to AI conversations or events. If you are passionate about Finance, write an article about it and share it with your network. Showcasing your abilities is very important for visibility.
What is more, whatever project, article or deliverable you produce, use it as your cover letter. The best thing you can have on your resume is an internship, a project, something that shows hands-on experience. Open Avenues helps with that, and that’s why I find this organization so interesting. But, on a final note, the next best thing you can work on is a list of demonstrable projects. It shows initiative and there are multiple free tools to do this (like websites or portfolios); these are demonstrating your proactivity to a hiring manager.”
A: “Most people, when they apply for a job, think the process ended there. What do I mean? Candidates apply online and forget about the whole thing. This is a big mistake.
In such a tough and competitive job market, I think it’s a losing strategy to just drop resumes. Students shouldn’t just apply and hope the system filters them, they need to be proactive and reach out to people individually and try to meet them off-line, not just stick to the digital. You must do the hybrid online-offline thing: start online but then go offline. For example, if you are applying to jobs through websites, identify the company, the recruiter or someone who works there and add them to LinkedIn, reach out to them. Ask them for their Calendly and try to schedule a virtual or in-person coffee. You’d be surprised to learn that people who do both outperform those who do only online.
We live in an environment where it is easy to get people’s emails, so students should leverage that. If you have a .edu email address, the world will react positively to you - just don’t send a senior person a Calendly, ask for their calendar instead. Also, you won’t get in trouble for cold emailing folks. This actually shows that the student is proactive by making their case to the hiring manager.
Ideally, a student should do all three, apply online, reach out online and try to meet people offline. Most people are not even doing the second thing.”
A: “Another piece of advice I would have for students is to narrow your choices. People looking for jobs do “the spray thing”, they apply everywhere and hope something sticks. Not ideal! Narrowing your choices is the winning strategy in a market like this. Narrower and more niche decisions will help you stand out. For example, a student not just interested in business, but in the biotech business. That makes it easier for someone to take a chance on you.
Connected to what I said at the beginning, the world is increasingly rewarding people who can bridge different disciplines. We hear terms like "T-shaped" or "M-shaped" skillsets, which emphasize possessing expertise in one area while also having a solid foundation in others. For students, this means focusing on developing knowledge across multiple domains.
Recent research on college majors highlights this trend. Studies show that students who choose complementary dual majors, like biology and business or biology and economics, tend to have higher salaries compared to those with more closely related majors, such as biology and neuroscience. This suggests that employers value candidates who can combine different areas of knowledge.
The key takeaway isn't about double majoring, but about broadening your skillset. You can achieve this through self-study in addition to your chosen major. With skills-based hiring becoming more prominent, employers value candidates who demonstrate a willingness to learn, regardless of the specific learning path. So, even if you don't pursue a double major, consider taking online courses or exploring independent projects in different areas to complement your primary field of study.”
As Nick Sykes highlights, thriving in today’s competitive job market requires more than just technical expertise. It's about being versatile, cultivating soft skills, expanding your network, and demonstrating a genuine passion for learning. Whether through networking, projects, or internships, taking proactive steps to build your professional profile will set you apart.
Remember, success isn’t just about what you know—it's about how you leverage your knowledge and connections. Start applying these insights today and take control of your career journey. Stay tuned for more expert advice in future editions of our Coffee Chat Series!
Danila Blanco Travnicek is the Director of Program Strategy & Evaluation at The Build Fellowship where she leads the education programming and its initiatives. She is a social entrepreneur who has been working tirelessly for over 10 years in the nonprofit sector to ensure more people have access to quality education. Danila holds a B.A in Business Management and a master's degree in Teaching and Nonprofit Management. She is a Professor at the University of Buenos Aires, an international speaker and facilitator and has managed and led programs with social impact in Latin America, U.S., Europe and Asia. She also received scholarships to study abroad in Finland, China and the United States.
Tanashya is the program coordinator for Open Avenues Foundation. Tanashya supports Open Avenues' marketing efforts and works on program strategy and evaluation. Tanashya holds a master's in marketing has previously worked multiple marketing strategy and content marketing roles in diverse fields including corporate wellness, financial services marketing, and fintech marketing.
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