Stage 5 · Lesson 4 of 6
Finding the right events
Start with events where people share your interest, because a common topic makes talking easier. Look for university society events, tech talks, hackathons, Google Developer Groups, local meetups listed on Meetup and conferences that offer student tickets or volunteer places.
Volunteering is a good trick for nervous people: it gives you a role and a reason to talk to people. Online communities count too, but meeting in person builds trust faster. Go with a goal, such as "talk to three people", not "find a job".
Common trapgoing once, feeling awkward and never going again, when the second and third events are where you start recognising faces.
A question to check yourself come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with
- BookPaidHow to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie)
Dale Carnegie (Simon & Schuster) · Paid book
The old classic on listening, names and genuine interest in other people
Practise
Keep handy
Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).