This is a sister list to SoCal Networking Event Organizations and focuses on the Networking events and resources of SoCal Educational Institutions (primarily Colleges & Universities). Please let me know if know of other organizations to add, or if you have any feedback.

As I receive information about others, I'll post them, but here's some general tips to help you get started:

• If you don't already know the website of your college, you should be able to Google it, or if that fails, try the Wikipedia article on California Colleges and Universities.
• Look for the Alumni link for the institution, AND the "school" (Medicine, Business, etc.) may have it's own Alumni association/department.
• You may have to sign-up to join the Alumni Association.
• Get on the mailing list(s).
• Check if they have an online events calendar for networking or other events.
• Certain large schools may have separate websites for large regional Alumni associations.
• Determine if they have a Facebook Group or Fan Page (also try directly in Facebook using the Search box in the upper right).  It may have additional information and events.  You can also "network" using the discussion on those pages.
• Determine if they have a LinkedIn Group (also try directly in LinkedIn using the Search box in the upper right, drop-down to select "Search Groups"). It may have additional information and events. You can also "network" using the discussion in that group.
• Check if they offer job services such as: job fairs, career counseling, resume review, etc.
• Check if they have webinars, teleconferences, or podcasts on career related subjects.
• Post your resume and search for jobs within their commonly exclusive systems.
• Consider Volunteer opportunities - give back AND network. Win win.
• Even though you away from your school, if you live in greater Los Angeles or any other large metropolitan area, your school may have an alumni group here. Check your school's alumni site for those "remote" alumni groups. Or, start one!

 

Have you checked out Classmates? (Re-)Connect with your K-12 and College classmates. A word of warning though, others and myself find they have bad customer service (email "spam", customer service, etc.)

 

The University of Southern California's Alumni Association

(my Alma Mater)
The USC Alumni Association is on Facebook, LinkedIn and offers various types of events, Career Assistance, podcasts with career and industry information.

To unlock all the services, register with Fight On!Line.

There are eight local clubs in SoCal (also throughout the US and internationally). You can sign up for updates from each club, and many have Facebook or web sites. Most of them run recurring mixers.

Some of the school have their own Alumni group, like Marshall School of Business Alumni, also on LinkedIn and Facebook Group and a Facebook Fan Page, which has it's own events calendar and various capters, including Los Angeles,  Orange County, and San Diego. There's also the Marshall Alumni System with "Alumni Directory, Discussion Forum, Job Board, and MarshallMail Lifelong Email Forwarding"

The SoCal Chapters have Networking Luncheons including 9 in LA County,  5 in Orange County, and 3 in San Diego County. Some have additional evening or breakfast networking events.  I've been to a couple of these luncheons and they are great opportunities for those both employeed and looking for employment.

Updates 10/26: This week I attended my 3rd USC Marshall Alumni luncheon and they've all been filled with great conversation among accomplished professionals and business owners. Typically six to a dozen attendees.

I also attended my second USC Marshall Alumni LA Business Networking Mixer. These are monthly, have two or three dozen attendees, have a wider range of tenured professionals - from recent grads and up, and do have a few more job seekers than the Luncheons.

Why aren't making use of these events? Not a Trojan Alum? Ask your colleagues - most of these events are open to guests.

Or engage with your school's Alumni association.

Updates 11/2: Do you know your school may have ethnic or special interest Alumni Associations? Utilize these groups for networking, and resources.

For example the Alumnae (women) organizations, the Mexican American Alumni Association (MAAA), and the Lambda LGBT Alumni Association.

Updates 11/23:Get social - network everywhere. Find an event - something you're interested in - suddenly you and the other attendee's have something in common, and a place to start a conversation.
USC's Arts and Events Calendar

 

 

The University of California - Los Angeles Alumni Association

The UCLA Alumni Association is on LinkedIn and a Facebook Group, and offers a Career Network, Alumni Directory, Newsletter, Career Counseling and Workshops, Job Postings, and more.

There are a number of Clubs/Networks in SoCal which seem to offer networking as well as social and sports events.

UCLA Anderson School of Management Alumni Network is also on LinkedIn and has a Facebook Fan Page.  The Alumni Network has it's own calendar, directory, career services, regional networks, and more.

Updates 11/2: Do you know your school may have ethnic or special interest Alumni Associations? Utilize these groups for networking, and resources.

For example the American Indian Alumni Association, the Black Alumni Association, and the Pilipino Alumni Association.

Updates 11/23:Get social - network everywhere. Find an event - something you're interested in - suddenly you and the other attendee's have something in common, and a place to start a conversation.
UCLA's "Happenings" Events Calendar

Update 12/16/09:Did you the notice the (unofficial) Bruin Professionals (BP) group in the Event Org list?

 

 

 

 

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)- Alumni Association

Updates 11/23:Get social - network everywhere. Find an event - something you're interested in - suddenly you and the other attendee's have something in common, and a place to start a conversation.
Caltech Today Calendar