3 answers
Kaeli
Student
Saint Marys City, MD
1
Question
Updated
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How did you meet people in your field prior to employment?
I’m currently at a small undergrad school, prepping hopefully for med school.
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3 answers
Cin R
Finance Manager
5
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Cin’s Answer
Hello Kaeli,
There are several great ways to connect with people in your field. From my experience, LinkedIn is one of the most effective. You can use filters to search by job title, profession, company, or even keywords. This will help you find professionals who match your interests. Once you identify someone, you can send a personalized message expressing your interest in their role or company and start building a connection. Many people are open to helping and sharing insights.
Another excellent option is attending local events. A good resource for this is Eventbrite, where you can find industry-related events happening in your area. These gatherings are a great opportunity to network and meet people face-to-face.
There are several great ways to connect with people in your field. From my experience, LinkedIn is one of the most effective. You can use filters to search by job title, profession, company, or even keywords. This will help you find professionals who match your interests. Once you identify someone, you can send a personalized message expressing your interest in their role or company and start building a connection. Many people are open to helping and sharing insights.
Another excellent option is attending local events. A good resource for this is Eventbrite, where you can find industry-related events happening in your area. These gatherings are a great opportunity to network and meet people face-to-face.
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Kaeli !
When I enrolled in college as a Theatre Major with the emphasis on Acting, I embarked on a path that required very heavy networking and making contacts. I met most of my contacts that became friends - most of them right in the Theatre Department. Our department had what they call a Greenroom which is basically a lounge in the department for students to hang out in between classes or whenever.
At any given time, a large number of students were in there hanging out, interacting, reading notices on the black board or just relaxing. This was crucial in how I met people. Everyone was super friendly and it was easy to mingle. Another way I met people was, I could say, actually obtaining work, which means doing plays and other performances. When you are in a show, sometimes you end up becoming friends or socializing with your fellow cast members. My field of work is known for parties, too, so those were a valuable source for meeting new people who might not necessarily been in the academic realm, rather in the community.
People got to know me and when opportunities arose, I would be approached to audition for someone who had me in mind or I was told of some paying gig. I was very much hanging around theatre people exclusively except for my best friend from college who was a Communications Major. Then, every time I did a show in the community, more people got to know me and I acquired more friends and contacts.
The moral of the story: be very involved with everything and anything connected to your career goals. You want to go to med school, so in undergrad look for groups and activities centered around the subject of your major. Do volunteer work that is connected to science. Look for organizations, clubs, conferences, etc. that are focused on health care, health issues and science connected to medicine. Initiate conversation and enjoy some time outside of class.
I realize that a pre-med path and med school do not have the same social demands that Acting does, but you can still expand your social circle. Being around others that are on a pre-med path will validate you, help you identify as a pre-med person and future doctor and those around you will have stronger understanding of you than non pre-med people. So it's all about learning where, at school and in the community, these people gather and becoming part of that group.
For example, if you are at Saint Mary's College of Maryland, you can join and interact with the Health Sciences Advisory Committee which provides guidance for students pursuing careers in health sciences. See if your college has something like that. You can start networking at the Maryland Life Sciences network, a division of the Maryland Tech Council, which offers over 20 events annually for professionals and students in the life sciences.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
When I enrolled in college as a Theatre Major with the emphasis on Acting, I embarked on a path that required very heavy networking and making contacts. I met most of my contacts that became friends - most of them right in the Theatre Department. Our department had what they call a Greenroom which is basically a lounge in the department for students to hang out in between classes or whenever.
At any given time, a large number of students were in there hanging out, interacting, reading notices on the black board or just relaxing. This was crucial in how I met people. Everyone was super friendly and it was easy to mingle. Another way I met people was, I could say, actually obtaining work, which means doing plays and other performances. When you are in a show, sometimes you end up becoming friends or socializing with your fellow cast members. My field of work is known for parties, too, so those were a valuable source for meeting new people who might not necessarily been in the academic realm, rather in the community.
People got to know me and when opportunities arose, I would be approached to audition for someone who had me in mind or I was told of some paying gig. I was very much hanging around theatre people exclusively except for my best friend from college who was a Communications Major. Then, every time I did a show in the community, more people got to know me and I acquired more friends and contacts.
The moral of the story: be very involved with everything and anything connected to your career goals. You want to go to med school, so in undergrad look for groups and activities centered around the subject of your major. Do volunteer work that is connected to science. Look for organizations, clubs, conferences, etc. that are focused on health care, health issues and science connected to medicine. Initiate conversation and enjoy some time outside of class.
I realize that a pre-med path and med school do not have the same social demands that Acting does, but you can still expand your social circle. Being around others that are on a pre-med path will validate you, help you identify as a pre-med person and future doctor and those around you will have stronger understanding of you than non pre-med people. So it's all about learning where, at school and in the community, these people gather and becoming part of that group.
For example, if you are at Saint Mary's College of Maryland, you can join and interact with the Health Sciences Advisory Committee which provides guidance for students pursuing careers in health sciences. See if your college has something like that. You can start networking at the Maryland Life Sciences network, a division of the Maryland Tech Council, which offers over 20 events annually for professionals and students in the life sciences.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Ping C
Librarian
14
Answers
Worcester, Massachusetts
Updated
Ping’s Answer
Dear Kaeli,
To meet people in your field before employment, get involved in professional and campus organizations related to your major, and attend networking events, conferences, and career fairs. Building connections with professors, alumni, and guest speakers can open doors to valuable contacts and mentorship opportunities. Joining professional associations, such as local or national industry groups, helps you meet experienced professionals and stay informed about trends in the field. You can also utilize LinkedIn to connect with professionals, join industry-specific groups, and stay updated on news and opportunities. Finally, make use of your college career center’s resources and services—they often host networking events, provide career counseling, and can connect you with alumni and employers in your field.
To meet people in your field before employment, get involved in professional and campus organizations related to your major, and attend networking events, conferences, and career fairs. Building connections with professors, alumni, and guest speakers can open doors to valuable contacts and mentorship opportunities. Joining professional associations, such as local or national industry groups, helps you meet experienced professionals and stay informed about trends in the field. You can also utilize LinkedIn to connect with professionals, join industry-specific groups, and stay updated on news and opportunities. Finally, make use of your college career center’s resources and services—they often host networking events, provide career counseling, and can connect you with alumni and employers in your field.