Finding Networking Opportunities in Unfamiliar Places

How did I, as a high schooler and later a college student, expand my network among industry professionals in #Singapore, #UAE, and #China? Moving to a new country and establishing a network all over again takes time. Using the strategies below, you can make quality connections faster: 1. Organize quality events where different audiences find what they are looking for: Give value first. That’s how we started the TEDxUWCSEAEast Conference back in #Singapore. I was new to the community, wanted to get to know people, and created a platform for great speakers to share their insights. Coming to the #UAE, using the same mentality of giving value first, we organized NYUAD Slush'D, the largest conference for young entrepreneurs in the UAE. 2. Build a club of 15-20 ambitious students who are also passionate about your field: When I came to #China at the beginning of this year, within 2 weeks, I built a network of ambitious peers from New York University who are also passionate about entrepreneurship. We started getting more offers for #CompanyVisits and events because great firms want access to a great #InternPipeline and #GenZinsights. We had a similar approach in developing Violet Ventures which became the fastest-growing community for young entrepreneurs in #UAE. 3. Ask your network for recommendations regarding the events that are worth visiting: Time is invaluable, so be picky about the events you attend. Asking people you trust and admire about the events they find insightful can save you time on trials. With the right event, you can open new doors. After being in #Shanghai for a couple of weeks and asking around, thanks to Scott Pollack 庞国治 Christian Lépolard recommendations, I attended insightful events like China Crossroads led by Frank Tsai and Founders Breakfast led by Kay Xu. 4. Embrace being a #YoungProfessional in a room full of Experts It can be hard. But it’s all about perspective and mindset. I think being in a room with people who are smarter than you is the greatest gift. What strategies have helped you expand your network in different countries?

Feeling like there are no networking opportunities? When I first started my business, I felt completely isolated. No local meetups, no events—just me, my computer, and my ideas. But then I realized something: Networking isn’t limited to events. I started getting creative: 1. LinkedIn became my stage. Instead of waiting for others to reach out, I made the first move—engaging with posts, starting conversations, and offering value. 2. Webinars & Virtual Events. I hosted my own and joined others, connecting with like-minded people who were open to sharing insights. 3. Community-building. I created my own small group of entrepreneurs, where we shared resources, challenges, and victories. The results? I stopped waiting for opportunities—I created them. Networking is everywhere, you just have to go out and find it. Networking is about mindset and consistency, not proximity. PS. How do you create networking opportunities? Share your strategies! 👇 #Networking #thesociallab

Getting involved in the community/ecosystem is HUGE for your success and your community's success. I attribute several of my jobs, service opportunities, business partners, and clients to community involvement. Here's exactly how I do it (because I hope all of you wonderful people do something similar. Seriously.): I moved to a new state in 2018. Zero connections outside of my company. 1) Google events that might be relevant to the people you serve or the people who serve the people you serve. Start at a Chamber of Commerce if you can't find anything specific. 2) Network at that event and on LinkedIn. Genuinely just ask what interesting service, networking, and learning opportunities THEY like. Hopefully, that is local to your community or at least regional...but if that truly doesn't exist, and you are crystal clear on who you serve and who your peers are, open your horizons nationwide and look for community online like Pavilion, Bullpen, Chief, and the like. 3) Make it a goal to continue in-person or in-community conversations outside of that context. Schedule time each week to meet with people OUTSIDE of those meet-ups. Your goal is to get that scheduled no later than the next day. If you didn't get to meet someone (say a speaker, maybe), take notes on what resonated with you and a photo of them speaking. Post it on LinkedIn and tag them. Then request them and give context as to why you think you can add value or continue the conversation. 4) Here's my secret (congrats on reading this far). End each meeting with a genuine effort to help them where they are rather than where you wish they were. For me, it looks something like this. "I'm not going to assume I can't add value or I can...if I could do something, solve a problem, or make an intro for you in the next 2 weeks that would make your day or significantly add value to what you're working on (whether you think I can or not) what or who would it be?" 5) THEN GO TRY YOUR BUTT OFF TO DO THAT AND KEEP THEM UPDATED WHILE YOU TRY. You'll be shocked at the doors that open that you never knew existed.

How to Find the Right Networking Events and Network Efficiently When I first came to the U.S. for my master’s, I kept hearing the same advice: "Networking is key." So, like many students, I started attending random events, meeting a few people, and—let’s be honest—enjoying the free food. But after a while, I realized that while I was showing up, I wasn’t really making progress. I was meeting people, but those connections weren’t leading anywhere. That’s when I changed my approach. Here’s what worked for me: ✅ Targeted Networking: Instead of attending just any event, I focused on those specific to the biotech and medical device industry. ✅ Pre-Event Research: Before going, I would look up the speakers, their companies, and what they were working on. This helped me move beyond small talk and have meaningful conversations. ✅ Follow-Ups That Matter: The real challenge isn’t meeting someone once—it’s staying in touch. After events, I would send a thank-you message mentioning something specific from our conversation. That made my outreach more personal and memorable. This shift in strategy helped me build long-term connections—people who eventually played a key role in my career. Now, when students ask me how to find the right networking opportunities, I recommend starting with events hosted by accelerators and innovation hubs. These are some of the best: 1. MassBio 2. Nucleate 3. Innovate@BU 4. MIT Biotech Group 5. MDG Boston 4. Venture Café Cambridge You can’t miss this event that is right around the corner! In June, the 'Festival of Genomics' is happening, and it’s a great opportunity to meet professionals and industry leaders. If you're serious about networking, make sure to check it out! If you found this helpful, follow me for more insights and share this with anyone who might benefit! #networkingevents #biotech #medicaldevices