Avatar photoSteven Savage

Used to a level of panic?

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I deal with a lot of people working on getting their lives and careers in order – or back on track in this economy.  A lot of people I notice can't calm down even when they have nothing to worry about, or when it's of no use.

So ask yourself, are you actually used to a certain level of panic in your life and job search?

It may seem a simple – or ridiculous – question – but I witness a lot of people unable to slow down and deal with things calmly in the job search, almost as if they feel a certain level of panic is needed.  When people don't have reasons to panic, they can still remained "primed" to fly off the handle.

Mostly panic is crippling, as we all know (and rarely deal with).  But it can become an automated habit like anything else.  In fact if you're used to panic, you may panic over having nothing to panic over.

Take a look at yourself – are you used to panic?

– Steven Savage

Throw a Networking Event

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The convention ideas roundup is here.

When conventions focus on career events, its usually panels, workshops and demos.  This is and should be the norm, since these are the things people want and need.  I'd suggest conventions consider one addition to all of this.

A professional networking event.

Take an hour for people interested in going pro and give them a place to talk, exchange cards, and find out more about careers from each other.  INvite people from the professional panels you do run.  Have handouts and documents from recruiters, local businesses, etc.  For that matter, see if a local – or national – job board or service would want to sponsor it (oh, I'd love to see LinkedIN.com sponsor a geek networking event).

I confess it would be challenging – you'd probably need some icebreakers, and it may take a year or two to really reach a good self-perpetuating pace – but I think it's a worthy experiment.  People network at conventions anyway, adding professional networking to the mix would be a good goal to have.

The benefits I see:

  • It's another social event.  In general, I'm all for those.
  • It would let fans connect on a different level than the usually do – one that benefits them professionally.
  • Gathering your "pro panel" speakers would let them network with each other and further talk to and inform attendees.
  • It's a way to involve recruiters and colleges if you invite them as I mentioned previously.
  • Done right, it could be an event that grows and helps promote the convention.
  • It acts as a foundation for future professional events.

Again, this is more a theory of mine – but if anyone wants to try it out I'd be happy to lend some suggestions . . .

– Steven Savage

Library

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Welcome to the Fan To Pro Library.  Here you’ll find articles, resources, and links to important series in the blogs.  Updated 1/9/2011.

PRINCIPLE:

CULTURE:

RESOURCES:

GUIDES:

  • Epic Resume Go! – A Geektastic guide to how your resume is like a story.
  • A Guide to Fansourcing – Go on and try – or use – fansourcing, the activity of turning to fandom for skills!

SERIES:

  • Convention Ideas – An ongoing series exploring ideas for fan-to-pro events at conventions, as well as profiling conventions with interesting events for the career-oriented geeks.
  • Stereotype-Fu – An on-again/off-again series (with it’s own tag) about how people can turn stereotypes used against them as fans and geeks to their advantage.
  • The Viability of Virtual Stars – How the creation of Virtual Stars may be a viable ventures.
  • I Have a Job They Don’t – Tips on using your progeekery and position to help others looking for work.
  • Promoting Professional Geekery – How you can promote the Fan-To-Pro ideal!