Let's Be Real, It's Tough Out There.

I recently read an article about the mental toll of the pandemic (like many of you) and they highlighted the usual: zoom fatigue, distractions, etc.; we are all craving the work "interaction" we would have going to a conference or tradeshow. Many have tried to virtualize their conference and the result is a sad, lonely experience. You can't just throw people in a chat room and hope things will work out (spoiler alert: it doesn't). 

AESP likes to learn and evolve and that experience is what drove the creation of the AESP Social. This event pulls on an old introvert networking tip: if you're feeling disengaged and awkward, try engaging with someone in a collaborative task. People find it much easier to form a bond when they are working together toward a common goal. 

So, we arrive at this:



Two days of programming that are based on that introvert life hack. Let me explain what a few of these things are:

Hackathon: when you get involved in an event like this, you are paired into teams and tasked with inventing a solution to a specific challenge; then you pressure test it against other team's solutions. The personal ROI is great: you get to know other people's skills, know them as teammates and walk away with new ideas.

Learning Pod: this is idea sharing at its best; you get placed into a small room with less than 12 people and a facilitator and you get to bring your expertise and questions to the table; you walk away with solutions and ideas that will move the needle for your professional cache or the project you are working on.

Career Fair: companies are struggling to hire right now; and (as a recent hire trust me) there's nothing worse than in the pandemic trying to get a true sense of a company's culture from a phone interview or a rushed zoom call. This cuts out the work of having to hunt for postings and submit your resume just to get to that point, so that both parties can really feel each other out. 

Social Activities: many local chapters and professional groups are on pause right now. So the Wisconsin and Ontario Chapters have stepped up to host a game night which is a great way to connect with professionals in your area. This is a great way to see some of the faces behind the companies of these regions, network, and show your fun side.

I hope you will be able to join us. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me. I'm always available to help.