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If asked, the vast majority of human beings will say that they hate small talk. As a result, many of us dread networking events; 鈥�Two hours of small talk with professionals I don鈥檛 know? What am I supposed to talk about?鈥�

Combine the usual social anxieties surrounding networking with the pressure of trying to secure an internship, and there鈥檚 no question that your nerves could get the better of you鈥攗nless you go in prepared.

First off, you鈥檙e not limited to 鈥渢alking shop.鈥� Recruiters and professionals are not accounting robots. They are regular people with lives and interests outside of work, just like you! You鈥檙e there to learn about the employer, so some 鈥渟hop鈥� questions are appropriate and expected, but you want to get to know the person you meet. Follow the 鈥渘o politics or religion,鈥� rule, but feel free to delve into other topics. In her 2016 essay, 鈥淭he Benefits of a Little Small Talk,鈥�* Jennifer Breheny Wallace suggests sports, family, and travel as safe, yet engaging talking points.

There will be the occasional awkward pause. That鈥檚 ok. Overcome awkward silences by walking into the event with a few personal anecdotes to kick-start conversation. Entrepreneur Jon Levy is quoted in Business Insider; 鈥淚 always have a story of something I鈥檝e been doing recently or a book that I鈥檝e been reading.鈥� Asking, 鈥淒id you see that big movie released last weekend?鈥� is a great conversation reviver.

Don鈥檛 be afraid to admit when you don鈥檛 know something. If a professional throws out an acronym that you don鈥檛 know, politely asking, 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry, that鈥檚 not a term I鈥檓 familiar with, can you explain it?鈥� does not make you look stupid. There are many terms used in the professional realm that we don鈥檛 learn as students. Don鈥檛 just give them a blank stare or a nod. Asking for further explanation of something shows both humility and curiosity (very desirable qualities for an intern to have).

Exit conversations gracefully. You鈥檙e at a networking event; you want to have as many conversations as possible. Don鈥檛 abruptly end conversations by asking for a business card and running away. That leaves a bad taste in the mouth of everyone involved. Business Insider suggests taking 鈥渁n extra beat to make eye contact,鈥� before leaving. Wallace cites author and small talk expert Debra Fine, for this tip: 鈥渦se subtle verbal cues like 鈥楤efore we take off,鈥� or 鈥楽ince I only have a few minutes left,鈥欌�� to ease your way out of conversations.

Small talk doesn鈥檛 have to be painful (or even shallow). In her essay, Wallace cites multiple published studies tying small talk with strangers to day-to-day happiness and well-being. By honing your conversation skills during the recruiting process, you aren鈥檛 just investing in your future as a professional. Conversational competency has the potential to improve social interactions across the board (and, maybe even your mood)!

Read the full articles below for even more tips!

鈥淗ow to talk to anyone at a networking event,鈥� Richard Feloni, Business Insider

鈥淭he Benefits of a Little Small Talk,鈥� Jennifer Breheny Wallace, WSJ *