As with any competitive industry, breaking into the tech field requires more than just a degree and a strong résumé. Knowledge and skill are must-haves for any good candidate, but on their own, these qualities may not be able to open the door to job opportunities. Along with their individual expertise, successful tech workers understand the value of integrating themselves into a network.
A recent article in Towards Data Science urges aspiring data scientists to strategically leverage Meetup meetings to land their dream job. According to the article, Meetup is the best platform for young data scientists to make genuine connections with people who work in their field, to add a more human element to the job search, and to stand out from the crowd of other applicants.
We agree! And we think this same advice is useful for any tech field, like programming, software engineering, language processing, machine learning, web development, UX/UI design, and many more. Here are just a few ways you can use Meetup to get involved in a professional network, and advance your career in tech.
1. Attend Meetup talks, webinars, and tutorials to learn about cutting edge tech
One of the best ways to stand out from the crowd is by mastering a relevant skill that others may only have a little classroom experience with. When filling out job applications, you can confidently answer “Yes” when asked if you have sufficient years of experience with a certain design tool, programming language, or data model.
Check out learning events from groups like The Tech Academy Portland (4,100 members) and Thinkful Austin | Careers in Tech (825 members). Both of these groups are open to anyone, and regularly host online events that can be attended from anywhere in the world. Topics range from general concepts and industry navigation to specific, practical lessons.
2. Create a portfolio of work to showcase in future job applications
When an organization has only a few open positions and a large pool of qualified candidates to choose from, applicants who can provide extensive samples of their work are often the only ones to be seriously considered. If you’re relatively new to the tech field, working on projects outside of your day job can demonstrate your passion and motivation.
On Meetup, there are lots of opportunities not only to learn new skills, but to put those skills to the test! For example, you could join the Deep Learning Project Group to work on projects related to artificial intelligence and probability. This group of nearly 5,300 members believes finishing a project or innovating is a bit easier when collaborating with a group.
If you’re looking for something more low key, you could join a group like Code and Coffee, Long Beach. They host a bi-weekly event bringing together programmers of all ages, skills and experiences in a casual environment to share, collaborate, and hack together.
3. Build your network of peers and mentors, and discover your niche
To get your foot in the door at your dream company, you first have to step outside. Putting yourself out there is easy with Meetup, where thousands of in-person and online events are held every single day. Plus, technology is one of the most popular interests among Meetup members and one of the most popular group categories. In fact, the second-largest Meetup group is NY Tech Meetup, with 60,000+ members!
You don’t always have to attend a networking-specific event to actually be networking. For example, you could volunteer your time with a civic hacking group like Code For Orlando and use your tech skills to benefit the local community. Sometimes, the best impression you can make on an important figure in your field happens outside of a strictly professional setting.
Meetup also makes it easier to sample many different kinds of tech fields so that you can discover what you enjoy and narrow your career focus. Maybe Tech in Motion: Boston will excite you with a webinar on the state of cyber security. Maybe you’ll feel more at home chatting online with fellow Pythonistas from the San Francisco Python Meetup Group. Whatever your tech interests are, you’re bound to find others sharing them on Meetup.
4. Create your own Meetup tech group
Being the leader of your own tech collective can inspire you to stay active as you pursue your professional goals. If you live outside of a major tech hub like San Francisco or New York, building your own community may also be the best way to meet fellow tech enthusiasts in your area.
You can easily create your own Meetup group and organize events that suit your professional goals. Plus, organizing a successful tech group on Meetup is another feather in your cap that shows initiative and commitment to potential employers.
Last modified on September 6, 2023
