Networking: A Lot of Options for 2010

We're pleased to offer members and soon-to-be-members many networking opportunities and events. Different from our sports and social events, networking not only makes it "OK" to talk business -- it's expected! But we'll have a lot of fun, too. Please look at our options surrounding golf, tennis, and wine tours and give us your feedback and ideas!

From electronic networking like LinkedIn to planned in-person events, we are planning many exciting things almost every month for 2010 so come back here often for updates! If you have any questions, ideas or want to work with us on some of events please contact us at networking@psuatlanta.com.

Alumni Networking Mixer Thursday Feb 25th!

Hudson Grille, Midtown 6-8pm

In lieu of our postoned Alumni Career Services presentation, we decided to make some lemonade and hold an informal networking mixer! You don't have to be a Penn State Atlanta Club member, and you can bring as many guests as you'd like! But if you are a paid member, or if you join, you will get one complimentary drink ticket. Please let us know via Facebook if you are coming so we can prepare enough tickets. We hope to see you there and bring your ideas for more networking events we can do in 2010!

BEING RESCHEDULED TO NOVEMBER 2010 MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW

National Penn State Alumni Association Visits Atlanta

Being rescheduled from February to November due to a family emergency, Penn State Atlanta will host Cheryl Bonner, thanks to sponsorship of the Penn State Alumni Career Services. Cheryl meets with many clubs all over the country. She will present "Making Your Penn State Family Work for You!" which will include general career advice and some personal resume critiques.

Cheryl has graciously offered to preview and comment on resumes. If you would like to send her a question or a copy of your resume in advance please send it to CCB11@sa.psu.edu and in the Subject line put in PSUATL Career Meeting so she can quickly find your email. If you were a PAID attendee to the postponed February event, please indicate that in the subject line also and Cheryl will get to your resumes, first.

Tickets purchased for the February event will be automatically refunded. If you have a refund problem by March 1st, please contact Rich Byron at networking@psuatlanta.com.

MARCH/APRIL: Golf to Start!

Golf Group Forming

Still taking names for those interested in joining an informal golf group to play area public and private courses in 2010. Only obligated to pay for the events you play in, and don't need to play every event. Good networking opportunity and we'll play for for some fun prizes! Our goal is to start planning events during March starting in April as the courses dry out and the days get longer! Informally we have about 24 interested players already! If interested in being on the list please email your name, handicap if you have one, favorite course if any, and any suggestions for games / formats to Rich Byron at networking@psuatlanta.com

Tennis League backburnered for 2010

While there was some interest, we didn't get the critical mass to start a tennis league against other big 10 schools or even an intramural league. But if you are still interested in tennis or especially spearheading a tennis event, please send your email to Rich Byron at networking@psuatlanta.com.

Contact Rich Byron at networking@psuatlanta.com with any additional ideas or suggestions. Already had a couple suggetions about a Ski Club plan for winter 2010 / 2011. And please check out our networking page to keep up with any new developments, dates, etc. We will have special pricing and access for Atlanta Penn State Club members so if you haven't started or renewed your membership, please do! We need member numbers and monies to rsearch and reserve these events for you!

APRIL Dean Thomas of the Smeal College of Business Visits Atlanta

Dean James Thomas, Pennsylvania State University’s Smeal College Dean, will be joining Penn State Atlanta on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 6 p.m. at Ruth Chris Steak House in the Embassy Suites Buckhead. Dean Thomas will be discussing the future of Penn State, the Smeal Business College, and some interesting observations on the economy.

Tickets to this event are $30 per Penn State Atlanta member and $45 per non-member. The event includes:

Seating is limited so buy your ticket now at Dean Thomas Event.

In addition with time to network with fellow Atlanta friends and alums, there will be an opportunity to meet and speak with Dean Thomas. Dean Thomas is Dean of the Smeal College and professor of information sciences and management. In his role as Dean, Thomas has overseen the development of a new strategic focus at Smeal and an emphasis on delivering extraordinary education, conducting Research with Impact, building a dialogue with society, and fostering a Community with Distinction.Before becoming Dean of Smeal in 2006, Thomas was the founding dean of Penn State's College of Information Sciences and Technology. In that role he oversaw the college's initial growth and development as well as construction of the landmark IST Building at University Park.

There is on-site parking for $8. The address is: Embassy Suites, 3285 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305.

MAY: North Georgia Wine Tour!

We've got more detail on our planned North Georgia Wine Tour. We will run buses of up to 12 people each from various perimeter-area Marta locations to minimize / avoid driving. We will visit at least 3 wineries. Costs will be $55 member / $65 non-member which includes transportation among the wineries, and water / soft drinks and snacks on the bus. It will be an all day event starting approximately 9:30 from our pickup points and back approximately 5:30. Possible dates include the weekends in May (preferred) and possibly the first 2 of June. We'll narrow down to a format and date based on your feedback until the end of February, so PLEASE email your interest (no obligation) and choices to networking@psuatlanta.com

SPRING: We're looking to start an in-person Business Networking group to meet regularly throughout the year. We hope this morphs beyond networking into continuing education and information sharing sessions. For ideas, suggestions, or collaboration for in-person Networking events please contact the Networking committee at networking@psuatlanta.com.

LinkedIn

Here are some of our groups in LinkedIn to help you find jobs, customers, or suppliers:

Please remember we accept members into our groups so please join, and help us to help you and others like you.

Job Announcements and Opportunities Sought

We will also occasionally send out job openings in our weekly email. If your company is hiring and you would like to post the job in our email and web page, please send a 2-3 sentence description as well as contact information for the job to networking@psuatlanta.com.

For those looking for employment, you are highly encouraged to get involved with our various networking events coming up. We also need volunteers to help; not that much time involved and great networking. If you are interested in helping us develop some type of local "clearinghouse" for those looking, email us at networking@psuatlanta.com and tell us what you think.

For a trial we will try and post one-liners of people looking for employment or contract opportunities. Please provide your name, email address, and up to 60 characters of the position / title you are seeking. No links or special characters; plain text only. Please send your information to networking@psuatlanta.com and remember to let us know when you are successful!

We're looking to start an in-person Business Networking group to meet regularly in 2010. If anyone has ideas or suggestions for creating or leveraging existing in-person Networking events, please contact the Networking committee at networking@psuatlanta.com.