It’s essential for engineers to attend a handful of networking events per year to help them expand their network and learn about new job opportunities. It’s a great way to get out of the office and your daily routine to learn new skills from industry thought leaders and mentors.
If you want to start your own company in the engineering and tech industry, networking events are even more crucial. Studies show that networking is vital to the success of 78% of startups. 70% of working professionals got their current job through networking and 57% of people report that having a business card is essential for networking events. Here are three ways networking events help engineers become more successful:
1. Ability to join a developer network
Joining a developer network is one of the best ways to meet like-minded professionals in your industry with similar goals. There are plenty of opportunities to share your knowledge, demonstrate your expertise and work on your public speaking and mentoring skills.
While you’re waiting to find the perfect developer networking to join, try participating in online communities like Stack Overflow and Github to meet other professionals based across the globe.
2. Build authority in your industry
The more networking events you attend, the more likely people will start to get familiar with your face and ask you to participate in more events and/or speak on a panel. If you’re featured on a panel, you can add this accomplishment to your resume and spotlight it in job interviews.
Another good way to build authority in your industry is to start a blog on a nice topic. When you blog regularly, you inspire other engineers to follow their passions and maybe even start a two-way conversation. Plus, bogging as a side gig could eventually become profitable if you put enough time and energy into it.
3. Learn about scholarships and project funding
If you’re an engineering student looking for a scholarship, a great place to start is your local networking event. Many organizations offer scholarships through universities and volunteer programs open to new applicants. Be sure to apply for scholarships early and meet all the application requirements.
If you’re looking for additional startup and project funding, many investors regularly attend networking events, so come prepared with your best sales pitch.
Consider joining our networking at ACEC Utah for early access to the latest networking events, training and seminars. Visit our website or call (801) 657-4470 to learn more.