Networking Just Around the Corner

by Christine Choi

This is a continuation of an article from the June/July 2009 Clips.

Here are a few last reasons for why you should make time to come out and join us at the CWIP regional networking meetings:

1. Other CWIP members are doing exciting things, whether professional endeavors or personal projects. Learning and hearing from others is a great way to keep yourself personally motivated and excited about your work. You are likely to pick up some interesting tips along the way too.
2. If you have questions, others probably have answers. It sounds trite, but it really is true! You'd be surprised how much insight people have to offer, even if your question is as simple as, "Where should I get my business cards printed?" The regional networking groups are a place for ideas, stories, and advice to be shared.
3. Locations are not binding! That is to say, feel free to join us in Evanston or visit the networking groups in Schaumburg or Naperville as your schedule permits. Regular attendees certainly help shape the rhythm and tone for the groups, so we encourage you to come out on a regular basis; however, the nature of these groups is that they're flexible.
4. We are just around the corner. Well, relatively... The main purpose behind the regional networking groups is to bring local CWIP members together and to do so in an informal, fun, and convenient way! Why not take advantage of such an exciting resource?

The meeting times for the networking group are all different, so if you still have not made it out to a meeting, there are plenty of options. For any early risers, the Naperville networking group meets for breakfast on the first Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m. The meetings are held at the Pancake Cafe (1292 Rickert Dr.) in Naperville.

The Evanston and Schaumburg groups have been meeting for dinner on weekday nights during the last week of the month. The Evanston networking group meets at the Evanston Panera (1700 Sherman Ave.), and the Schaumburg group is currently looking for a new meeting location. Feel free to check the CWIP Web site for the latest event dates and times or watch the listserv for announcements.

Members are always encouraged to bring their business cards to exchange with others, and members are welcome to bring any friends or colleagues who may be interested in CWIP. We only ask that non-members join CWIP if they plan to attend more than two regional networking events.

Lastly, if you have any questions or want to be added to a specific networking group's mailing list, please feel free to contact the following CWIP members: Christine Choi (Evanston), christinerchoi@gmail.com; Juli Schatz (Schaumburg), bibliocat36@gmail.com, or Rebecca Walker (Naperville), rebeccawalker@sbcglobal.net.

Of course, attending one of our networking events is the best way to see what we're all about. Hope to see you around!

Christine Choi is graduating from Northwestern University in June, majoring in American Studies and English Literature with a minor in Asian American Studies. She recently completed an honors thesis in May entitled, Rewriting the Mainstream: A Comparative Study of Intergenerationality in Asian American and Latina/o Novels. Though she is a native North Carolinian, she hopes to find a publicity or marketing job in publishing that will keep her in the Chicago area.