Glammer Society

When I first moved to Boston a few months ago, I knew very few people. I wanted to find an inexpensive way to network and meet new friends.

Within a few weeks of starting my job, my coworker took me to a networking event. Feeling nervous, I dressed professionally and donned a gray blazer with slingback heels. However, within the first few minutes of the event, I quickly took off the blazer. The gathering was at most business casual, with a relaxed and comfortable ambiance. I interacted with people across various industries from startups to Fortune 500 companies. I gained insight and advice from my short conversations with the attendees.

Many of these attendees originated from diverse backgrounds and started fascinating projects. For instance, one person founded a healthcare startup and invited me to his product demo at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Another person, whom my friend and I jokingly coined as “VC Skylar,” spoke about his venture capital (VC) firm the whole conversation, but I enjoyed learning about his career path and MBA goals. I also came across someone who, years ago in college, amazingly changed their name to “Batman.” After my discussions, I found these people who created products and pursued professions based on their passions inspiring.

The main attraction caught my eye: free food and drinks. Snacks and wine, surrounded by the magnificent view of downtown Boston skyscrapers, kept me hooked. After this experience, I continued attending more networking events. My coworker added me to a WhatsApp group chat where people send information about projects, creative endeavors, networking events, and more. Social media makes this information readily available in many cities, such as Boston, New York, and San Francisco.

I quickly rallied my friends to join me at these events. One meet-up occurred at MIT, where my friends and I enjoyed free sushi while networking. As someone who can eat sushi for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I was astonished that these events occur in Boston. Other events include investment opportunities, incubators, and conferences.

The best event I went to led me to Boston Harbor. My friend and I signed up for tickets via Swissnex, which hosted a Pitch Cruise for MedTech startups. Swissnex is a network of education, research, technological, and art outposts that aims to connect Switzerland with global innovation hubs. Although the event required “life sciences” attendees, my friend and I received invitations. I work at a tech and healthcare startup and my friend works at a defense company. As soon as we entered the boat, we sifted through the crowd to find a table lined with food. The spread included a charcuterie board, buttered shrimp, cupcakes dusted with frosting, and dainty macaroons. Behind the expansive table, a bartender stood at the bar and served guests free wine and drinks. As MedTech leaders spoke about their companies, people mingled and watched the boat gently dip in the waves of the Massachusetts Bay.

Through networking and attending events, I met new people, learned about exciting opportunities, and gained inspiration (as well as drinking wine at no cost). After attending these events, you may meet your own “VC Skylar” or “Batman.”

Here are some tips I learned along the way:

• Research the host of the event beforehand
• Dress business casual, unless stated otherwise
  • A combination of business and casual clothing, such as wearing slacks or a skirt with a blouse or polo, but without a tie
• If you feel uncomfortable going alone, ask a friend to come with you
• If you want to ask for someone’s contact information after speaking to them, get their LinkedIn instead of their number if it feels too forward or personal
• Find networking events through coworkers, friends, social media, and the internet
  • For instance, in Boston, some organizations include Tedx, TiE Boston, and Capital Z.