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Get out and network!
This fall, I attended a career workshop for unemployed/underemployed professionals. I sat in a room of over 300 people all looking for jobs. I learned a lot about updating my resume and what HR people look for but more importantly I learned I needed to get out there and start talking to people.
Yes, networking! From the career workshop, I started to find out about local resources and organizations in my area I could join to meet with people face-to-face. I also combed the web for groups I could join to learn from people online. According to one recruiter "tech people are lucky because they are very social." Who would have thought! He was probably referring to the significant number of user groups and even general networking groups for tech professionals.
- Darlene Flores
As someone with experience, a re-entrant should invest time in re-establishing their network. Former colleagues or alumni groups could be very useful to find people that share your history and experience, and know your value as a co-worker. It is also important to meet new people who can help you to return to your career in technology. Re-entrants start out with less 'fresh' contacts in the profession. Networking introduces (or reconnects) you to people who can tell you about job openings! Social engagement with people in your field is an opportunity to learn more about your field. You can hear about systems, new developments, and companies that others in the group are knowledgeable about. The social interaction can be a good morale booster during the re-entry process. Another benefit is that you may meet people who could act as a reference, review your resume, or help you to prep for a technical interview.
Alumni Groups
Alumni Groups
Connect with alumni groups from your college, companies you have worked at, grad school, and even high school. School websites usually have links to alumni associations. LinkedIn has alumni groups for schools as well as companies, with search functionality that can help you find contacts in particular fields or companies.
Former Colleagues
Former Colleagues
Reconnect with former colleagues who know your value as a co-worker and who work in your field. Ways to reconnect include by email, phone call, LinkedIn, or holiday card.
Informational Interviews
Informational Interviews
Informational interviews can be valuable to a job search. Many people are willing to spend 15-30 minutes talking with you about their job, company and opportunities in their industry. The interview can be conducted in person or over the phone. The informational interview format does not put any pressure on either party related to a particular job but allows an important exchange of information.
Social media
Social media
Social media is a great tool to use for professional networking. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Meetup.com can all be used to connect to people, research companies of interest, and find out about job opportunities. On your LinkedIn profile you can state you are looking for work and what kind of job you hope to get. Keep the comment positive and professional, and someone in your network may connect you to a job. If you are new to social media there are numerous resources to get you started, ranging from a simple Google search for tutorials and FAQs, a LinkedIn search, and looking for how-to videos on YouTube.
Face-to-Face
Face-to-Face
It can be helpful to join face-to-face groups, and get off the web and start talking to people. It is good for career networking and also for the supportive, social environment.
Professional Societies
Professional Societies
Example major national and international technical professional societies include ACM, IEEE, AITP, Society of Women Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, and Society of Hispanic Engineers. Find your local chapter! Their websites also have useful resources.
Some of the bigger societies have many special focus subgroups, such as:
Groups and Organizations
Groups and Organizations
Look on Meetup.com and websites of technical/professional organizations, to find local groups of like-minded individuals in your area. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Linux User Groups (LUGs) such as Seattle Open Source Linux Meetups and The Greater Houston Linux Meetup Group. If you do not find a nearby LUG by searching on Meetup.com, Google ["Linux User Group" LOCATION] for your city/town LOCATION.
Local Meetup.com groups that are technical and may not have groups in other cities, such as Chicago Cisco Systems Meetup Group, Milwaukee Django User Meetup Group, and Milwaukee Agile Programming Meetup Group. Search your area code in Meetup.com for interesting tech groups.
Technology Professionals Networking Group - monthly meeting plus mentoring group
Society of Women Engineers (SWE) - Find your local chapter! Their website also has useful resources, such as the SWE professional development webinars.
She's Geeky - unconferences provide environment for women in tech to learn from one another, grow networks, connect across generations and discuss issues.
Local University offerings, such as Univ. of Pennsylvania's Weekly Seminar on Medical Image Processing
Check out a recent article about brand-new Philly groups in flying kite. You might be surprised by what you find in your area. Or consider starting a Meetup group yourself.
Conferences
Conferences
Check out technical conferences in your area, for opportunities to meet others in your technical field. Use Google to find the conferences, or look for conferences on websites of professional societies and technical organizations in your field. Some are pricey, others inexpensive or offer conference 'scholarships'. Some examples of technical conferences:
Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology / Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing - The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing is a series of conferences designed to bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. Presenters are leaders in their respective fields, representing industrial, academic and government communities. Leading researchers present their current work, while special sessions focus on the role of women in today’s technology fields, including computer science, information technology, research and engineering. In 2011, a record-breaking turnout of 2,908 attendees participated in conference. (www.gracehopper.org) Check out the keynote speech by Sheryl Sandberg, COO Facebook.
SAVE THE DATE - Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing 2012
THEME: Are we there yet?
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, Maryland
October 3 – 6, 2012
PA Conference for Women - Each year there is a conference held in the Phila Convention Center with the goal of helping to inspire women in their professional and personal lives. In 2011, over 5,000 women attended for an inspirational day of speakers and workshops. Other states hold similar conferences. Check if your state does, too.
Online Discussion Forums
Online Discussion Forums
LinkedIn discussion groups - You can find just about any technical field represented on LinkedIn groups. Find tech related discussions plus job listings.
systers.org - Great online discussion forum for women in computing and technology fields. Systers is part of the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology and has over 3,000 members in at least 54 countries around the world. They welcome technical women of all ages and at any stage of their studies or careers to participate.
Write your own blog about your area of expertise or collect information on the latest advances in your area of interest. It gives you another way to connect to people and demonstrate your knowledge and motivation to constantly learn new things. Free blog hosting at WordPress.com or Blogger.com
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