5 ways to network in San Diego
Feb 04, 2019 - Sam Tollin
Let’s face it: moving to a new city isn’t easy. One of the toughest parts is making new connections. While many people cringe at the word “networking,” it doesn’t have to be all that bad. Once you start to meet and connect with like-minded people, networking will come easily to you, and it doesn’t have to be forced. San Diego is a close knit community with many opportunities to immerse yourself with others who share similar interests, both personally and professionally. To help you get a head start, here are some meetup groups to consider joining in San Diego.
1. Startup San Diego
San Diego wouldn’t be thriving as a tech hub without embracing its vibrant startup culture. Startup San Diego is a volunteer-operated nonprofit that was established to grow the startup community in San Diego County. In addition to its widely known annual Startup Week event in June, Startup SD also hosts other smaller events throughout the year to keep the community engaged. Next month, it’s hosting Convergence – a three-day event that focuses on providing education and resources for those looking to further their careers in the tech startup ecosystem. Get your tickets here.
2. Creative Mornings SD
Creative Mornings is a free monthly breakfast lecture series featuring inspiring talks from entrepreneurs, developers, and crafters. With chapters all around the world, Creative Mornings believes everyone is creative in their own way, and creative minds of all backgrounds are welcome to their events. Each event includes a 20-minute talk, coffee, donuts, and plenty of networking with the San Diego creative community.
3. Biocom
Biocom is the largest advocate and organization supporting California’s life sciences sector. With over 1,100 members, Biocom offers STEM education programs, a network of industry leaders, and plenty of networking events. They also offer volunteer opportunities to get involved with major events, such as EXPO Day.
4. 6 Degrees
If you’re looking to build authentic professional relationships, 6˚ Networking is for you! They host networking events every month that welcome professionals from a variety of industries. You can mingle with the 6˚ team, corporate sponsors, and local executives while enjoying food and drinks at a fun local venue. You can find the event calendar here.
5. TEDx San Diego
If you’re familiar with TED talks, TEDx is a great way to get involved with your local chapter for TED-modeled experiences. TEDxSanDiego is a volunteer-led nonprofit that brings together the community through local, self-organized events with talks by local innovators who aim to expand horizons and spark conversation.
Samantha (Sam) Tollin is a San Diego-transplant with a background in Journalism and digital content creation. In her spare time, she volunteers for the Humane Society and the American Marketing Association, explores the San Diego food scene, and attends local concerts.