**Course Title:** Community Involvement for Programmers **Section Title:** Networking and Building Relationships **Topic:** Attend a local tech meetup or join an online networking event (Lab topic) **Objective:** To learn how to effectively participate in local tech meetups and online networking events, leveraging them for professional growth and community involvement. **Introduction:** As a programmer, attending local tech meetups and online networking events is a great way to expand your professional network, learn about new industry trends, and showcase your skills. These events provide a platform to interact with like-minded individuals, potential employers, and collaborators. In this lab topic, we'll focus on the best practices and strategies for making the most out of local tech meetups and online networking events. **Attending Local Tech Meetups:** 1. **Finding Local Meetups:** Utilize online platforms such as: * Meetup.com (https://www.meetup.com/) * Eventbrite.com (https://www.eventbrite.com/) * Google search with keywords like "tech meetups near me" or " coding meetups in [your city]" 2. **Pre-Meetup Preparation:** * Research the meetup topic and organizer * Arrive early to introduce yourself to the host and other attendees * Bring business cards or prepare a quick elevator pitch about your work 3. **During the Meetup:** * Engage in discussions and networking * Be respectful and listen actively to others * Share your own experiences and ask thoughtful questions 4. **Post-Meetup Follow-up:** * Connect with the attendees you met on LinkedIn or Twitter * Send a follow-up email or message to the organizer thanking them for hosting the event **Joining Online Networking Events:** 1. **Platforms and Tools:** Utilize platforms like: * Zoom (https://zoom.us/) * Google Meet (https://meet.google.com/) * Discord (https://discord.com/) * LinkedIn Live (https://www.linkedin.com/live/) 2. **Best Practices for Online Networking:** * Create a strong profile and use a headset or earbuds with a microphone * Dress professionally and ensure good lighting and camera quality * Actively participate in discussions and engage with other attendees 3. **Virtual Event Strategies:** * Use the platform's chat function to interact with attendees and the organizer * Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the Q&A session * Take notes and summarize key takeaways to share on social media or with colleagues **Tips and Strategies:** 1. **Prepare an Elevator Pitch:** Develop a concise and clear pitch that showcases your skills and interests. 2. **Be Respectful and Open-minded:** Listen actively and be willing to learn from others. 3. **Be Prepared to Ask Questions:** Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during meetups and online events. 4. **Follow Up After the Event:** Connect with new contacts and send a thank-you message to the organizer. **Case Study:** Attendee Profile: For this case study, we will use David, a software engineer with 3+ years of experience. David attended a local meetups for Python programming, and after preparing for the meetup, David connected with a potential employer who appreciated his work. **Conclusion:** Attending local tech meetups and online networking events is an excellent way for programmers to expand their professional network, learn about industry trends, and showcase their skills. By following the strategies outlined in this lab topic, you'll be able to make the most out of these events and establish yourself as an active member of the programming community. **Practice Exercise:** Attend a local tech meetup or join an online networking event in the next 6 weeks. Take notes and record your experience. Prepare a report highlighting what you learned and what you would do differently in the future. **Additional Resources:** 1. Watch a video from the creator of Techstars, Gaurav Khandelwal, founder. [Networking for introverts, including the creator of Techstars, Gaurav Khandelwal (YouTube)] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzCWoOYcOxk)) 2. TED-Ed presentation by Dan Mittleman, Networking isn't what you think it is (TED) (https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_mittleman_networking_isn_t_what_you_think_it_is) **Leave a comment/ask for help:** Please share your experience with attending local tech meetups and online networking events in the comment section. Do you have any questions about networking as a programmer?