MGoNetworking/Advice Group (EDIT: LinkedIn Group Created)

As someone who loves giving out barely-solicited advice and is currently trying to relocate to NYC (including apartment and job hunting), I whole-heartedly endorse this idea.

As a recent grad in somewhat the same boat (looking for a job, majored in Communication Studies), I have often thought this would be a great idea and a tremendous resource to have for so many that enjoy this blog. Unfortunately I am still working my way up to 100 MGoPoints, but I have been an avid reader for quite a while.

And you know what they say, who you know is more important than what you know. Or something like that.

I believe this is a good idea.  As someone who is a business owner/employer in Ann Arbor, I would definitely love it if I were able to select candidates from the MGoCommunity.

Down for a Call of Duty group.

Sign me up. I like it. 

It is largely my "alter ego"  who comes to MGOBLOG to write snarky things, ogle Kate Upton, or post generally NSFW content.   My concern is how do you bridge the desirable anonymity  of a sports blog with the necessary factors of trust and reputation required for serious networking?

However, I am also a C-level executive who is continually pursuing capital and talent.  Such a pursuit requires networking.  Preferably, networking with people who have interest and association with Michigan.  

Your idea is a great one.  I look forward to how you bridge the gap from "sports fun" to "business correctness".

Definitely like this idea, as I'm always looking to find new Michigan connections for networking.  LinkedIn could be a good platform for this, as a private group where you must submit your mgoblog username to the admin before being admitted? Quite a process, but would be a good way of taking job requests/networking off of the boards.

Along those lines...any mgousers down in Charleston, SC? I'm in Chicago but potentiall relocated down south in the next year, it would be great to make some connections!

I would contribute to such a group whenever possible - this is a connected, educated group with tentacles in many walks of existence, and it would be a great opportunity to find someone with experience in a field or on a subject which you are considering as a job or major or whatnot. Indeed, this group has been able to give excellent advice on things up to and including fixing paint bubbles on the hood of someone's car most recently. There is plenty of fuel for such a concept. 

LinkedIn wouldn't be a bad way to go about this if there are concerns about keeping it apart from MGoBlog itself. For professional connections anyway, that's my primary vehicle, but I would love to have MGoConnections on that list. 

From time to time, I have even tinkered with the idea of using my own MGoInfluence to see if I could help people looking for assistance from my own employer, which would be the electric utility for SE Michigan. I figure that the least I can do for this blog is try to keep the lights on, or indeed, turn them on if you're looking for new service. We have an "I Can Help!" site and I have actually thought about posting links to it, and we also tend to have numerous internships if you're an up and coming electrical engineering major or marketing major. 

this is great!  I recently got a job as a business manager/social media coordinator of a stand alone fitness/performance training facility here in AA.  I am jumping into this with a econ/finance degree so I am learning as I go.  I wanted to ask the members here for advice on getting more athletes instead of 40-50 year olds, as the owner feels they are under-represented at his facility.  Since most college athletes have access to the weight room and S&C coaches, I figured it would need to be mostly high school students whose parents have disposable incomes, but I'm not sure how to get the word out to them.  Any advice would be great.

I'd be happy to participate and help in any way I can. Great idea.

Alumni Association just launched a Facebook app for a similar purpose called "Hail Forward!"

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Michiganalumni/app_248750635144385

I have worked many years at a large software company and worked on many tech projects and would be happy to help with any questions you may have.

This is somewhere between Facebook and message boards. Perhaps there is a new app idea here...

This is a really great idea. With the way the job market is right now, it can be hard to find employment without some sort of connection.

If there are job openings at a firm where a certain MGoBlog user works, maybe that person could post application information on the site. Then if they are able to, try and help interested members of the MGoBlog community at least get an opportunity to interview for the position. 

It would also be great to have forums for people looking for general advice, whether it be on finding a finance or engineering job or getting into law or medical school. 

Would definitely participate.  Though it might be scary to see all the companies that think their employees (or bosses) are working hard all day but we are really all on MGo...let's connect like-minded people!

i support this, but dont have any witty comments to add

:(

This is a good idea, as I don't believe networking has ever been more important.*  If the anonymity issues are resolved I'd certainly participate.  Also, any suggestions where a poor incoming grad student who will have all classes on the southern end of central campus might live? 

*In response to the "every major's terrible" thread, I'd recommend anyone entering college major in "meeting influential people and getting them to like you."  

As a recent grad with intentions of moving to ypsi/a2 in the next year (my love of Michigan/Detroit athletics coupled with the fact that there are just no jobs in my hometown) I think this is a great idea. Sign me up.

I'm all for the general idea. However, I personally would prefer to stay away from Facebook or LinkedIn as the hub. Facebook is too crowded and creates too much noise. In the past maybe I'd have been more OK with LinkedIn, but lately I've found that the walls there are starting to crumble a bit. I get hit with more and more cold-calls asking if I'm hiring or looking to hire. I feel like it's becoming less and less just my network of connections, rather a tool for recruiters.

All that said, when I have an opening I'd always prefer to give Mgousers the first crack at it.

FWIW - I tried the "official" Alumni posting site thing and didn't get a single response. Either that system just stinks or no one wants a programming job in SoCal.

will be employed.

Let me know how I can help.

I'd be happy to participate also.

I'm looking for more career opportunities, I'm in!

I think LinkedIn is the way to go with this... as it's geared toward professionals.   I know one member above has listed some issues with cold calling, but our group would be restricted.

Not sure it's completely appropriate to have this type of thing on the blog.

A couple questions before I create this:

1. Everyone agree with LinkedIn?
2. What should the group name be?  MGoNetworking, MGoGroup, MGoBlog?
3. Sign-up process suggestions?
4. Volunteers to be a co-group owner to help with sign-up in case it's a little more complicated than just request permission?

This would be great for me since I'm currently looking for a new job in Chicago.  Definitely plenty of fellow wolverines there I'm sure.

Excellent idea....I have a son, a Michigan alum,  starting a residency in surgery this June at Michigan with a wife looking for a job as a special ed teacher/asst principal.  Anything that could assist her would be a tremendous idea.

Count me in.

As a former English major I know how tough it can be. I work in marketing communications for an international hospitality company now, so I'm not in the Ann Arbor area, but I would be happy to be involved in something like this.

Great idea, you Silly Goose! 

I think this would be so useful! I know here at UMHS it is pretty much ALL who you know as far as employment/recruiting. I'd love to be able to give opportunities to fellow MGoIntelligentsia.

I like the idea. I'm an engineer in A2 looking at potentially changing careers and even though I don't know what I want to do quite yet this is one of the few outlets I have to read what other non-engineers do, ha. Its a nice perspective because it just seems like everyone I know all do pretty much the same thing. (engineering / not business related type careers)

I know I'm posting this a lot, but I want to spread the word.

Search LinkedIn for the group "MGoNetworking".

Spread the word.  I'll post a board topic about this tomorrow and a few more times this week to spread the word as well.

50 members by the end of the week. Over or under?

The amazing part in looking through the Linkedin group members is seeing how many smart, accomplished, successful people are on this site.

...and presumably, are the ones posting cat videos and using the terms posbang and tacopants.

This is a great idea.