Networking
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What is Networking?
In its most basic form, networking is making friends and staying in touch! You'll want to network because:
Many companies host networking events to scout new talent, rather than posting their post online.
Through networking you find out about events and design challenges, and internship and job opportunities that you wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
Some experts say that 80 percent of people ended up in their current position thanks to networking. Others say it's more like 85 percent
Professional Associations
Join a Professional Association. Industries have Professional Associations where people can attend workshops, design competitions and network. Most associations offer student memberships at low or no cost. Sign up to be notified about events!
Silicon Beach Tech News
www.builtinla.com
Built In Los Angeles is the online community for Built In Los Angeles startups and tech companies.
You will find many Design & UX jobs posted here, so you can know who is hiring in your field.
There are also articles about the companies and what they are working on posted on this site.
Silicon Beach often posts networking mixers on this site. You are encouraged to register and attend these events.
Your Classmates and SMC Alum!
LinkedIn is a social networking website and job posting site designed for professionals in all industries.
Clubs
Get involved in club activities and take an active role in the club activities. See the clubs available at Santa Monica College or learn how to start your own club at http://www.smc.edu/icc
COMTECH || clubcomtech@yahoo.com
SMC’s Student Chapter of the ACM, Association for Computing Machinery, the largest computing organization in the world. Message them on Instagram to see how to get involved.
Design Club || https://discord.gg/xms6qmb
How to Join CMD COMMUNITY Discord Server:
Step 1: Click the "welcome-and-rules" folder and Agree to the community rules by clicking on the ✅ green check mark emoji.
Step 2: Click "join-clubs" Channel to see all the clubs you can join.
Step 3: Join the Design Club by clicking on the corresponding emoji to Design Club. The Design Club Channel will then open up.
When you go to a Mixer, keep your conversations professional, positive, and focused on the industry!
How To Prepare For A Mixer
Research who will be there (companies and people).
Go to the company’s website. Read about their projects and initiatives.
What are their business opportunities.
Look at what competitors in the industry are doing.
Have a plan of what you will talk about with other people at the event.
Do's
Industry trends (Industry events you attended or articles you read via: Professional Associations or publication or on LinkedIn).
Exciting and relevant projects you have worked on at school or personally.
Hobbies or interests that are relevant to the industry you are interested in working in.
Share thoughts on the subject of the gathering.
Most importantly, you must ask questions! You are there to learn and share and grow and build your professional network.
Dont's
Complain or bring up anything overly personal.
Dive into your life story.
Go on about experience that is unrelated to the industry.
Monopolize anyone’s time.