After the groups, there is a concluding speech and some final schmoozing so people within the networking groups can talk one on one. This is the time when many connections are made. Things wind up at 9:00 or so.

If you are a newcomer, your sign-in will give you access to the Networking Nights website. There, you can learn about other alumni, their goals, and contact them for more information. If you have come before, you already have access to this website.

New York Networking Nights has no format set in stone. We have broken into networking groups both by industry and randomly by counting off 1-2-1-2 and splitting into 2 groups.

The New York industry groups have included finance, arts, and tech, with finance by far the largest New York group. If you want to meet, say, finance people, you will. However, you don't have to come to your current industry group. If you want to change industries, you can come to the industry group you want to be in.

In July, I facilitated the 'Finance' group. The 25+ group members initially made "elevator speeches." Then we discussed career issues, either initiated by members of the group or by me.

The New York Networking Nights group is big -- about 60-70 attended in July and there may be 100 by the end of the year. People of all ages attend, from the old guard alumni of the 1960s, several 1970s and 1980s graduates, and a generous number of 1990s to '02s. Much of the interest comes from the 1990s grads, though alumni old enough to remember the LAST bear market are the fastest growing contingent. People of all races and ethnicities are represented too.

Our goal: To grow the network and create personal links that pave the way to future jobs. A number of you can find good leads on current hiring and new openings, but the key is to establish your network for future opportunities.

Many of you realize this, but it bears repeating: the best time to start networking is right now. You need to network even if you like your current job. Your job is not safe: a merger, a bad economy, a crooked management, or even a bad quarter can jeopardize it. Someday you will want something you can't just get off the Internet. It may be your next job, but it also may be the beginning of your next great idea or just a friend who can give you an objective view of the corporate mess you're in.

If you establish and build a network now, you will be ready when “someday” comes. You will have the contacts and guidance available to change jobs or careers as smoothly as possible in the future.

So come grow, or start, your network. In addition to getting contacts and advice, you can give contacts and advice to others – a key ingredient in the information exchange Networking Nights provide. There are few things as satisfying as guiding a fellow alum to the next step in their career. And as you help alums, alums will always be there to help you.

Networking Nights groups serve alums outside of New York, too, and they use strategies targeting their cities' needs:

Kelly Perl, PhD