Description

This is our second annual professional development night on networking. When it comes to job hunting and career management, networking can be a big challenge for many tech comm professionals. So this year, we’re getting back to the basics and focusing on strategies for making networking easier.

The event will be led by three panelists who will discuss, from their unique points of view, three core components of networking: breaking the ice, making the connection, and following up. Three breakout sessions will follow.

First, we’ll breakout into small groups and help each other create “elevator speeches.” If you don’t have one or always wanted one, this is the perfect opportunity. Then, we’ll use the ideas from the panel discussion to practice breaking the ice and using our newly crafted elevator speeches to make the connection. Finally, we’ll come back together to discuss how to follow up in specific scenarios, such as after an interview or after a professional conference.

This professional development night is for novice and seasoned networkers alike. The goal is to begin or continue to polish the tools we need to build our professional careers in tech comm. Join us!

About the Event

Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Pre-Event Networking: 6:30 pm PDT
Panel Discussion and Workshop: 7:00 to 8:30 pm PDT
Location: VSO School of Music, Room 411, 843 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3L4
Members: $5
Non-Members: $20
Students: $5

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About the Panelists

Pam Drucker is a contract technical writer. She left the permanence of a documentation specialist position to try contracting. An agency in Boston gave Pam her first break because she was “cheap”. Over the course of thirty years she has been employed by placement agencies, start-ups, large firms, and self. Pam enjoys helping others flourish in their career exploration.

Tyla Hay is human resources manager at SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., a science and engineering consulting firm specializing in earth and water resources. She has over five years’ experience in human resources and specializes in technical staff recruitment. Tyla oversees—among other things—benefits, HR policies, and career development for SRK in Canada. She is an avid skier, yogi, and foodie.

Robert Zalaudek is currently the IT Practice Leader for The Pearl Fisher Group, an information technology-focused recruitment firm specializing in placing senior-level IT professionals and IT executives. He has been in IT recruiting for six years. Prior to the recruiting business, Robert was on the management team of a telecom start-up and before that he co-founded and ran a software start-up. Networking and building relationships are a cornerstone of his recruiting and business philosophy which is why he is at industry events on average of twice a week.

Aaron