4 Ways to Jump-Start Your Career with Virtual Networking

Have you ever noticed the way so many success stories seem to hinge on turning crisis into opportunity? Find out how to write that story about yourself at one of the many virtual events sponsored by Los Angeles-area co-working spaces and networking groups. When shelter-in-place orders came into effect, these groups pivoted their IRL offerings to virtual events. A little bit females-in-the-workplace rah-rah sessions, a little bit brainstorming for the job you want and a little bit "hi your talk was great, let's stay in touch," these events give viewers the ability to hear the philosophy and ask questions of top CEOs, makers and business founders.

In a quick pivot from this women's business advocacy group's usual membership meet-ups at posh restaurants, at the beginning of April founder Michelle Edgar started hosting an online series called "Thriving Over Crisis." During these Monday-night Zoom sessions, viewers have heard from a life coach on how to set up daily rituals and a productive home office and gotten real talk from the CEO of Thinx on balancing employee health and business growth. Upcoming sessions include a talk from a bestselling personal finance author on managing your money during a crisis and a headhunter exec on marketing yourself RN. Register for these free events at thexxproject.com.

At the end of the month, this millennial networking/career enhancement group was set to launch its annual giant festival of speakers. Instead of postponing, founder Sophia Amoruso is taking the whole session online and making it free to the general public. This one-day event will have advice on virtual networking, digital collaboration, entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, financial literacy, fundraising, wellness and more–and organizers are promising virtual opportunities to make meaningful connections (i.e., you might get a lead on a job or business partner). To find out more, and to get useful emails including links to uplifting content like poetry with Rupi Kaur and the power of persepective with Maria Menounous, sign up at girlboss.com

This private Culver City-based co-working space describes itself as devoted to productivity, wellness and community for women of color and their allies. In these social distancing times, the community has shifted its programming to Instagram Live, where past sessions have featured Melo Gia, a Puerto Rican-born singer-storyteller who focused on the healing power of song and dance, and Ghanian-born author Nana-Ama Danquah discussing journaling and vision boards. Learn more at @the.blackbird.house

This co-working members space has chapters across the country, and one here in West Hollywood. The bad news is that all the physical locations are closed. But the good news? The organization has moved its members' events in all locations online and opened them to the general public. That means you can hear accomplished women such as past speakers politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, advertising exec Cindy Gallop and entrepreneur Jen Gotch (in conversation with her bestie, Busy Phillips) hold forth on how to keep your life on track and your spirits up during this volatile time. Visit thewing.com.