Mixer Reservations
Originally, the title of this post was "My Hang Ups with Mix Ups". I am saying this only to acknowledge that it's really my problem, it's my "hang up".
Anyhow, I do pretty well with online communities. Over the last year or so, I have attended more than a handful of "networking" type gatherings. I've never been to a Door64 event; I am not knocking Door64.
The in-person networking events that I have attended have been fun. Of course it's excellent to socialize. Most often, that's all there is. Business cards and smartphone bumping and casual clothes (with soft, not too serious, almost Easter like tones).
Even worse, some of these networking events were, uhmmm, dubious. The pitch was a "great opty for job seekers". The ditch was that there were a bunch of folks trying to sell me their services, like "I know the perfect strategy to market YOU! and it's only gonna cost you a few hundred bucks, for just the basics"
So I am not a huge fan of mixers. I don't have any obvious social problems. I do have the proper Easter-like attire. I am not suffering from terminal halitosis. I like to laugh and blah blah blah.
I love forums. This one especially. The kindred-like community support and responsiveness from door64 users is much better than anything out there. Folks on this forum are courteous, diplomatic, insightful and experienced. In fact, I really think I would enjoy meeting you.
Lunch, Coffee, a Ping Pong Tournament (Engineers vs Designers; Recruiters vs Hiring Managers), a miniature motorized yacht party? Just not another Social Mixer.
After review I feel I oughtta say that this is only a temporary perspective. That might be redundant. Perspectives are temporary. We share our perspectives with others, with an open mind, to have our perspectives altered.
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Comments
Not sure this is how it
Not sure this is how it oughtta work ... but someone told me that "personal opinion or 'perspectives' [are] shaped to some degree by going out and mixing ... I find it good exercise to shake them out now and then. True, they don’t always come back the same, but I’m the decider."
Oh, I guess it's probably cool to say that this message was shared with me by the "decider". I couldn't agree more.
The terms mixers and
The terms mixers and networking events are generally used synonymously, though I don't quite equate them. Perhaps that's just me being too much of an engineer.
I think of mixers primarily as social events: food, alcohol, chit chat. On the other hand, I consider door64 events to be networking events because I believe there's more of an active (versus passive) intent to network -- to meet new and reconnect with existing local colleagues. Obviously my hope is that folks intentionally take advantage of these opportunities to expand their own professional network.
There was a "traveling roadshow" mixer that would hit Austin about once or twice a year. They touted big numbers of attendees, and I visited one or two of them. The problem is they were of little value; everyone was a Realtor, financial planner, or lawyer. Nothing wrong with those fields, but I was looking to meet other technology professionals...and they were hard to find. This is why I restrict door64 membership. I want you to be able to attend a door64 event and find yourself keeping most of the business cards you received.
All that said, I hope you get to make it out sometime to a door64 event! The next daytime networking gig is this Wednesday 07-Dec-09, and our Christmas party is on Dec 15th:
http://door64.com/christmas2009
Thanks Matt. After my post
Thanks Matt. After my post it occurred to me that I really wanted to attend a Door64 event. What you are doing is clearly different. Your "Tribe" and your leadership is lucid.
I wanted to share a momentary perspective; A perspective that changed quickly. I often get the right answer by blurting out the wrong answer first. I am a proud, licensed blurter.
Hey, door64 is here to be a
Hey, door64 is here to be a sounding board, so no problem! Glad you asked.
I've had this view for quite some time about networking events, and I'm rather opinionated on the topic (as you can see). I've been to a number of networking events in the past, and know what I want to see for my own. It's all about providing value for the people attending, in my opinion. If you're happy, so am I.
Hope to meet you in person soon!
I've always considered
I've always considered myself an typical, introverted engineer. However, I have been attending some of the Door64 and other mixer/networking events. I have often met people that I've enjoyed talking with.
Unfortunately, at many *networking* events it is often hard to talk to other people because the background is too loud. Or at least it is to me. When I have to stand one foot from the other person's ear and shout to be heard and vice-versa, I don't find it conducive to networking.
I'm not sure if it is too many people in too small a place, the use of overly loud "background" music, venues with too many hard, sound reflective surfaces or what.
I didn't find the Door64 morning get-togethers to suffer quite so much from this. I also find the "Lunch, Coffee, a Ping Pong Tournament (Engineers vs Designers; Recruiters vs Hiring Managers), a miniature motorized yacht party" ideas to be intriguing.
Or perhaps it is just me. I'd love to hear others' comments.
The issue with music has
The issue with music has always bothered me too. For our door64 events at downtown venues, I request that the bar have their music turned way down. I also don't appreciate shouting into someone's ear.
Oh, I feel so left out!!!
Oh, I feel so left out!!! What about marketing, sales, biz development, branding, PR, operations, guys and gals? (wink, wink). Your point is well taken. It is sad that people are preying on others for a quick buck, but some people really do need help with job search and interviewing. I stopped going to some mixers because is was just a big whine session and NO cheese was served! Anyway, good observation and welcome to Door64!!