[Goladus]

I think a better perspective is to include the networking angle in anything you do, whenever possible. The most successful people are never not networking, except when they are engaged in a solo activity like programming or practicing. This goes hand in hand with self-promotion and marketing.

As others have mentioned, though, there are different definitions of the term. Going to "networking events" may not be the best use of your time. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be building connections and relationships-- with classmates, professors, roommates, bartenders, skiing buddies, vendors-- as many as you can handle. And yes: interest group meetups and and clubs can be a good place to make connections.