3 minute read
Business Over Beers: Networking for Success
from HBJ Apr 23 Issue
Professional networking is an important skill and asset for those looking to grow their business or advance within their career field. Luckily, Huntsville is home to a large collective of organizations, associations, and agencies that provide an expansive list of opportunities for locals to go out and connect.
Benefits of Networking
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The research is overwhelmingly clear: more career opportunities occur as the result of networking than any other tactic or strategy.
In fact, up to 80% of all job positions are filled through personal and professional connections and only 30% of open positions are ever posted publicly online. For Huntsville’s rapidly growing professional labor pool, the options for local networking are abundant.
Jamie Miller, President of Cyber Huntsville, wants people to know that our city is home to a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem where partner organizations - like NAC-ISSA, WID-TVC, and Cyber Huntsville - support one another and the local community by offering scholarships, training opportunities, certifications programs, mentoring, and, of course, networking events.
These organizations, along with others mentioned in this article, offer free, low-cost, or discounted memberships, send out periodic newsletters with details about events and other opportunities, and host social gatherings - many of which are free to attend!
Business and Brews
As a city full of breweries, professional associations, and friendly folks, Huntsville has no shortage of ideal locations for these groups to host their “after hours” events.
In fact, CyberBrews, founded locally by Karen Williams, began as a group of cyber professionals simply meeting over beers each week to collectively problem-solve issues they were encountering on the job.
The group has since grown into a thriving business that has partnered with InnerSpace Brewing Company, Straight to Ale, Yellowhammer Brewing, Fractal Brewing, and many more.
NAC-ISSA often hosts events at these locations and others as well.
If one is looking for something a little different, Cyber Reach is a local non-profit that supports those growing their career in cybersecurity or other STEM fields. They host a variety of events, as well, including trivia nights and tech talks.
Beyond Cybersecurity
This vast networking system is not limited to those in the cyber field, however. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), for example, has an Alabama chapter that provides resources, advocacy, and training opportunities for those in the construction industry.
Another great way for business owners and professionals to connect is through the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce which hosts a wide variety of different types of events all year round. While some of their events are restricted to members only, or require a registration fee to attend, the cost is certainly worth it. The Chamber has an outstanding
By: Alexander Duck / Photos courtesy of CyberBrews/Alexander Duck
reputation for supporting local businesses and hosting amazing events.
Likewise, the Huntsville Association of Small Businesses in Advanced Technology (HASBAT) supports and promotes businesses pursuing high technology contracts with local federal agencies.
Even More Options
Students at AAMU, UAH, Drake, Calhoun, and Oakwood who are looking to expand their options and explore new opportunities should join their local student groups and the student chapters of larger associations found on their campuses.
This is not only a great way to bond with fellow classmates, but can help them to meet professionals, mentors, and prospective employers within their field.
Another great option is the group Huntsville Young Professionals (HYP). Each month they coordinate a variety of events, including fun hangouts, happy hours, volunteerism, and training opportunities.
The group is geared primarily toward professionals under the age of 40 and is totally free to join.
There is also a Huntsville chapter of LinkedInLocal that offers additional opportunities for connecting and is a fantastic way to meet people from that site in-person or vice versa. It is also worth following their hashtag on LinkedIn as it is often used to promote local events and job opportunities.
Conclusion
Huntsville is a city with a lot of charm and a lot of friendly faces. While our world of media, communication, and technology continues to evolve, almost by the minute, some tried-and-true things have remained the same.
Building personal and professional connections, often over a cold beer, is an important step in maximizing success, growing a business, or advancing within a particular career field. So to all the Rocket City professionals out there: Cheers! w
