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7 Ways to Build Your Network Through the New HBS Online Community Platform

New HBS Online Community website displayed on laptop
  • 08 Jun 2022
HBS Online Author Staff
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  • Community
  • News & Events

The Harvard Business School Online Community launched four years ago to connect like-minded professionals passionate about business. Since then, it’s expanded to 34 Chapters worldwide—each volunteer-led by HBS Online past participants. Together, they’ve coordinated nearly 350 virtual and in-person events to help learners collaborate, connect, and uncover new opportunities to advance their careers.

Now, there are even more opportunities to network. We’re excited to announce the next iteration of the HBS Online Community with the launch of a new platform. Here’s an overview of the Community, its new features, and how you can connect with a global network of learners.

How to Network in the New HBS Online Community

1. Join a Chapter and Attend Events

The HBS Online Community features 34 Chapters in regions around the world. Join your closest Chapter to find and attend events. If there isn’t a Chapter close to where you live, you can join the Global Chapter.

Each Chapter is led by one or more Chapter Organizers who coordinate in-person and virtual events—ranging from meetups and trivia nights to webinars, movie screenings, and panel discussions.

2. Ask and Answer Questions

Once you’ve joined a Chapter, you’ll gain access to that Chapter’s discussion board, where you can share updates, ask and answer questions, and post polls.

Community Organizers will also use the discussion board to post announcements and notify you of upcoming events. You’ll be sent a weekly digest of Chapter activities, which you can set the cadence of after joining a Chapter.

3. Build Your Profile

Each Community member will have a profile. To get the most out of your Community experience, we encourage you to upload a picture, share links to your social media channels, complete the “About Me” section, and select your topic(s) of interest.

The more you share about yourself, the easier it will be to connect and network with others.

4. Direct Message Your Peers

One of the newest Community platform features is direct messaging. Log in to the Community and visit “Networking” in the main navigation. Once there, you’ll find a “My Messages” tab. Through that tab, you can search for Community members and start a new discussion.

We encourage you to use this feature to ask others about their HBS Online learning experience, discuss job opportunities, and share relevant industry insights.

5. Participate in the Official HBS Online Networking Group

Anyone who completes an HBS Online certificate course will be added to the Official HBS Online Networking Group—a discussion board where you can pose questions, post updates, and connect with peers.

This will replace HBS Online’s closed networking groups on Facebook and LinkedIn yet function similarly. Through this new group, learners can communicate via a central platform without needing to create a social media profile.

6. Earn Badges for Community Engagement

Another new feature is badging. Our new Community platform enables you to earn a recognition badge for completing various activities, such as uploading a profile picture, asking and answering questions, or completing an HBS Online course.

You’ll also have the opportunity to award others badges as a way to say thank you or congratulations on a job well done.

7. Participate in the Community Challenge

HBS Online annually partners with a nonprofit to host the Community Challenge. Through the Challenge, learners meet worldwide to solve one of the nonprofit’s most critical business challenges. Whichever Chapter develops the most viable, cost-effective, actionable solution is named the Community Challenge winner.

The 2022 Community Challenge was announced in May with Empowered to Educate, a two-year fellowship program that provides women educators with leadership training, mentorship, global networking opportunities, and small stipends. Empowered to Educate has completed its proof-of-concept phase in Ghana, Africa, and asked the Community for solutions on how it can scale.

By participating, you can meet fellow learners worldwide while supporting an important cause. If you’re interested in helping Empowered to Educate, sign up for the Chapter closest to where you live. Once you’ve joined a Chapter, let your Chapter Organizer know you’re interested in participating in the Community Challenge. Organizers will coordinate with their members to determine a time to meet and brainstorm solutions.

Join a Global Network of Like-Minded Business Professionals

We’re excited to welcome you to the new platform. We’ll continue to add new features and Chapters to the HBS Online Community in the coming months.

If you’re interested in staying up-to-date on upcoming events and other Community happenings, join the Community and subscribe to our Community newsletter.

 
All FAQs

Top FAQs

How are HBS Online courses delivered?

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We offer self-paced programs (with weekly deadlines) on the HBS Online course platform.

Our platform features short, highly produced videos of HBS faculty and guest business experts, interactive graphs and exercises, cold calls to keep you engaged, and opportunities to contribute to a vibrant online community.

Are HBS Online programs available in languages other than English?

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We expect to offer our courses in additional languages in the future but, at this time, HBS Online can only be provided in English.

All course content is delivered in written English. Closed captioning in English is available for all videos. There are no live interactions during the course that requires the learner to speak English. Written English proficiency should suffice.

Do I need to come to campus to participate in HBS Online programs?

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No, all of our programs are 100 percent online, and available to participants regardless of their location.

How do I enroll in a course?

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All programs require the completion of a brief application. The applications vary slightly from program to program, but all ask for some personal background information. You can apply for and enroll in programs here. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before starting an application for the program of your choice.

Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

After submitting your application, you should receive an email confirmation from HBS Online. If you do not receive this email, please check your junk email folders and double-check your account to make sure the application was successfully submitted.

Updates to your application and enrollment status will be shown on your Dashboard. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application.

Does Harvard Business School Online offer an online MBA?

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No, Harvard Business School Online offers business certificate programs.

What are my payment options?

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We accept payments via credit card, wire transfer, Western Union, and (when available) bank loan. Some candidates may qualify for scholarships or financial aid, which will be credited against the Program Fee once eligibility is determined. Please refer to the Payment & Financial Aid page for further information.

We also allow you to split your payment across 2 separate credit card transactions or send a payment link email to another person on your behalf. If splitting your payment into 2 transactions, a minimum payment of $350 is required for the first transaction.

In all cases, net Program Fees must be paid in full (in US Dollars) to complete registration.

What are the policies for refunds and deferrals?

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After enrolling in a program, you may request a withdrawal with refund (minus a $100 nonrefundable enrollment fee) up until 24 hours after the start of your program. Please review the Program Policies page for more details on refunds and deferrals. If your employer has contracted with HBS Online for participation in a program, or if you elect to enroll in the undergraduate credit option of the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program, note that policies for these options may differ.

 

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