You’re a systems designer who wants to network in late career. What’s the best way to start?

1 Identify your goals

Before you start reaching out to others, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from networking. Do you want to find new projects, clients, or collaborators? Do you want to learn new skills, trends, or technologies? Do you want to mentor, coach, or advise others? Do you want to explore new career paths or opportunities? Having specific and realistic goals will help you focus your efforts and measure your progress.

2 Update your portfolio

Your portfolio is your best tool to showcase your systems design skills and experience. It should reflect your current and past projects, your design process and methodology, your tools and techniques, and your impact and outcomes. You should also include a brief introduction of yourself, your contact details, and your social media or online presence. Make sure your portfolio is up to date, relevant, and accessible to potential contacts.

3 Join online communities

One of the easiest ways to network as a systems designer in your late career is to join online communities that are related to your field, interests, or goals. You can find many platforms, forums, groups, or events that cater to systems designers or similar roles. For example, you can join the Systems Design Community on LinkedIn, the Systems Design Slack Channel, or the Systems Design Meetup Group. These online communities can help you connect with other systems designers, share your insights and feedback, learn from others' experiences and challenges, and discover new opportunities.

4 Reach out to existing contacts

Another way to network as a systems designer in your late career is to reach out to your existing contacts, such as former colleagues, clients, partners, or mentors. You can reconnect with them by sending a friendly email, message, or call, and expressing your interest in catching up. You can also ask them for referrals, recommendations, or introductions to other people in their network who might be relevant to your goals. You can also offer your help, advice, or support to them, and show your appreciation and gratitude.

5 Attend events and workshops

A more active way to network as a systems designer in your late career is to attend events and workshops that are related to your field, interests, or goals. You can find many events and workshops that are organized by professional associations, industry organizations, educational institutions, or community groups. For example, you can attend the Systems Design Conference, the Systems Design Workshop, or the Systems Design Hackathon. These events and workshops can help you meet new people, showcase your skills and projects, learn new things, and expand your network.

6 Follow up and stay in touch

The last and most important step to network as a systems designer in your late career is to follow up and stay in touch with the people you meet or reconnect with. You can follow up by sending a thank you note, a feedback request, a resource link, or a project update. You can also stay in touch by commenting on their posts, sharing their work, sending them relevant news or opportunities, or inviting them to another event or workshop. You should also keep track of your contacts and interactions, and update your goals and portfolio accordingly.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?