Twenty-Six Networking Opportunities in the Detroit Metro Region

Networking is an incredibly important skill to develop for your career, no matter whether you are just starting out with your first job or you are well on your way up the ladder in your profession. Networking is about developing your work-related tribe of colleagues. It’s about building connections for future collaboration, learning, business development, career opportunities, and access to a broader collection of companies and resources.

A fair amount has been written about how to network strategically, how to develop your introduction, how to follow up, and how to be a great connector, but often the question is what organizations should I consider? Michigan has an abundance of great organizations offering many opportunities to network. Taking the time to join and become active in a variety of professional organizations will provide you with many benefits.

Here are 26 organizations in southeastern Michigan (Detroit Metro region) that offer great networking opportunities, along with professional development, industry knowledge, and a great sense of community and Michigander pride. Note: some events are free, some require membership, and some will have organization and/or event fees.

1. MichAuto Mobility Meetups:  https://michauto.org/mobility-meetups/
2. Black Tech Saturdays: https://www.blacktechsaturdays.com/events
3. Michigan Council for Women in Technology: https://mcwt.org/events/
4. Network After Work Detroit: https://www.meetup.com/networkingafterworkdetroit/
5. Detroit Economic Club: https://www.econclub.org/meetings/
6. TechTown: https://techtowndetroit.org/events/
7. Sunrise Networking Group: https://www.sunrisenetworkinggroup.com/sng-events/
8. Inforum Michigan: https://www.myinforum.org/events
9. Wayne State Alumni Programs and Events: https://alumni.wayne.edu/events
10. University of Michigan Alumni Programs and Events: https://alumni.umich.edu/events/
11. University of Michigan Dearborn: https://umdearborn.edu/career-services/job-and-internship-prep/networking
12. Detroit Young Professionals: https://www.detroityp.org/events
13. Lawrence Tech University Alumni Networking and Events: https://ltu.edu/alumni/
14. Oakland University Alumni Networking and Events: https://www.oakland.edu/alumni/events/
15. Kettering University Alumni Events and Networking: https://www.kettering.edu/alumni/alumni-events
16. Detroit Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): https://detroitshrm.org/meetinginfo.php
17. Engineering Society of Detroit: https://www.esd.org/
18. IT in the D: https://itinthed.com/
19. American Society of Mechanical Engineers/Detroit (ASME): https://sections.asme.org/professional-section-detail?recordId=recY8oip9lfjI5UBz
20. Financial Executives International – Detroit: https://www.financialexecutives.org/Network/Chapters/Detroit/Home.aspx
21. Society of Automotive Engineers: https://www.sae-detroit.org/events/
22. National Defense Industry Association – Michigan: https://www.ndia-mich.org/events/membership-networking-social
23. Women in Defense – Michigan: Holds monthly networking events around the state: https://wid-mi.org/
24. Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan: https://aiamnow.com/events/
25. Clean Fuels Michigan: https://www.cleanfuelsmichigan.org/events/
26. Crains Detroit: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/events

First Bonus Tip: Many of these organizations offer opportunities to volunteer that will allow you to take your networking to another level, that includes giving back as well as growing your connections. This is a great way to meet the leadership team of the organization and partner organizations (often employer companies and community organizations) as well as connect with a broad array of the members.

Second Bonus Tip: Many of these organizations have a LinkedIn page where they post articles, information about events, and what’s happening in the state/industry/profession.  Be sure to Follow that page for more great opportunities to connect with individuals that are commenting or contributing to that page.

Third Bonus Tip: Local Chambers of Commerce also have a wide variety of events to network in the community, as well as Rotary Clubs, Meet-Ups, and other local civic organizations. Additionally, volunteering for local non-profits is a great way to meet other like-minded professionals, as well as getting to know your community better.

When you are actively looking for a new job, you may want to make it a point to go to a networking event every week. Once you land in your new role, it’s wise to keep one or two on your calendar every month to keep your list of contacts fresh, stay up to date on what’s happening in the industry, sharpen your skills, and to grow your professional network.

Beth Swanson is the Project Lead for the Michigan Career Portal and is passionate about helping jobseekers find their next career move in Michigan. Beth is a “newer” Michigander, having moved to Michigan from California in 2023. She loves exploring all the state has to offer and is especially fond of sailing on the gorgeous Great Lakes.