Top 10 Strategies for Networking Your Way into Salt Lake City's Tech Scene

Salt Lake City is on a crazy growth spurt when it comes to tech jobs, becoming a total hotspot. The job growth in tech hit 22.9% in 2021 and 2022, blowing past the national average of 10.1%.

With giants like Adobe, Microsoft, and Intel setting up shop, this place is being called the "Silicon Slopes." The tech workforce here makes up 17.2% of all office jobs! Nearly 70% of the venture capital money in SLC goes towards tech too, totaling close to $130 million.

It's like a perfect storm for anyone trying to break into tech. But networking is key to landing those sweet gigs. Using LinkedIn to build your brand can seriously set you apart.

And don't miss out on major events like IoT Slam Live for connecting with companies and mentors.

The opportunities are endless in this booming scene if you play your cards right.

Hey there, let me break it down for you about Silicon Slopes, the tech community that's shaking things up in Utah. These are all about connecting folks in the tech world, whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out.

They've got this event called the Silicon Slopes Tech Summit that brings in thousands of people from all over to network, learn from industry leaders, and get inspired.

It's like a massive techie party, but with way more opportunities to level up your career.

But that's not all they've got going on. Silicon Slopes is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the community through events, resources, and opportunities.

They host monthly meetups, workshops, and even outdoor adventures like ski tours – because who says networking can't be fun? The best part? Silicon Slopes is all about giving everyone a fair shot, whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting to explore the tech world.

If you're looking to break into Salt Lake City's thriving tech scene, getting involved with Silicon Slopes is a no-brainer. According to the stats, a massive 75% of attendees have made connections that boosted their careers. It's like having a cheat code for networking and staying ahead of the curve.

Plus, with all the knowledge-sharing and insider insights, you'll be leveling up your skills in no time.

Silicon Slopes is the secret sauce that's fueling Utah's tech ecosystem, so why not tap into that energy and see where it takes you?

The Women of Utah Tech is the spot for ladies trying to make moves in the tech game. These have all kinds of events and programs designed to uplift and connect women in tech.

From fun activities to sweet scholarship opportunities, they're showing how it's done.

One of their major gigs is the Women Tech Awards, where they put on the spotlight and celebrate the females hustling in tech.

It's inspiring to see what these are achieving. They've also got these chill networking luncheons happening monthly, which are the perfect chance to rub elbows with other techies and pick up some fresh knowledge.

The Women Tech Council is doing the real work, running programs to get more high school girls interested in STEM careers.

They're helping shape the future of tech by empowering the next generation of women in the field. It's awesome to see an organization so invested in creating opportunities and breaking down barriers.

If you're looking to grow your network, gain some serious skills, or just be part of a community of women in tech, then the Women of Utah Tech is where it's at.

These ladies are proving that with the right support and resources, girls can take over the tech world one line of code at a time.

If you're a coding newbie trying to get a foot in the door of Salt Lake City's tech scene, you gotta check out Downtown Coding SLC.

This crew hosts meetups where you can kick it with other devs, chow down on free grub, and talk code - everything from React and D3 frameworks to machine learning with Python and Jupyter notebooks.

It's the perfect spot to build your professional brand on LinkedIn and make connections that could land you that first remote tech gig.

Their monthly events are great, but the real deal is Learning DevCamp, a multi-day coding conference held each summer at the University of Utah.

We're talking hands-on workshops, expert talks, schmoozing with industry pros - the whole nine yards. Last year's keynotes covered everything from AI literacy to design for all, so you know it's gonna be great this year too.

But DevCamp isn't just about the big events.

They've also got study groups, kids' coding camps, and even remote meetups where you can level up your skills from the comfort of your home. With a focus on practical knowledge and collaborations to drive your coding goals, DevCamp is an essential stop on your journey to becoming a Utah tech professional.

Navigating the tech scene in Salt Lake City can be a real hustle, but the Utah Geek Events Calendar is a total game-changer.

This community-driven platform brings together a significant number of tech meetups, conferences, workshops, and networking gigs from all around Utah. We're talking over 2,500 active members and a vast database of events covering everything from programming to entrepreneurship.

Using this tool is a breeze.

Just visit utahgeekevents.com and you'll see a list of all the upcoming events. You can filter by date, location, and categories to find exactly what you're looking for.

The interface lets you bookmark events, set reminders, and even get a personalized feed based on your interests. As Christopher Moore, a regular user, puts it, "The Utah Geek Events Calendar has been clutch for discovering new communities and expanding my professional network."

Going to these events is a serious power move for your personal and professional growth. You get to expand your knowledge by attending workshops and talks from industry pros, build connections with like-minded individuals who could become mentors or even assist with job opportunities, and explore new avenues that might spark a passion you never knew you had. As the tech scene in Salt Lake City keeps expanding, the Utah Geek Events Calendar is an essential tool for staying engaged and making meaningful connections within the community.

The online networking game is no joke these days, and LinkedIn is where it's at if you want to make moves in the tech world.

For all you Salt Lake City tech enthusiasts trying to break into the scene, joining the right LinkedIn groups is a must. The Utah Tech Leads Group is where you need to be – it's a buzzing community with over 6,000 members who are all about connecting, sharing industry intel, and uncovering the hottest job opportunities.

A recent LinkedIn survey showed that professionals who are active in industry-specific groups are 4 times more likely to get recruited for dope jobs.

The Utah Tech Leads group is a total goldmine, bringing together tech pros, entrepreneurs, and passionate geeks to network, collab, and stay in the loop on the latest happenings and job openings in SLC's vibrant tech scene.

Here's how you can make the most of this high-value group:

• Share killer content and engage in discussions to showcase your expertise and cement your thought leader status. Central Theme: Engage actively to demonstrate leadership.
• Keep an eye on job postings to uncover opportunities that align with your skills and career goals. Central Theme: Monitor job listings for personal career growth.
• Attend the group's virtual or in-person meetups to expand your network and gain some invaluable industry knowledge. Central Theme: Participate in events to gain insights and connections.
• Connect with other members, offer advice, seek guidance – it's all about fostering that sense of community and having each other's backs. Central Theme: Build community through mutual support and engagement.

As Forbes put it, "LinkedIn groups have become an essential resource for professionals looking to connect with like-minded individuals, share knowledge, and stay ahead of industry trends." By being an active participant in the Utah Tech Leads LinkedIn Group, you'll unlock a world of valuable networking opportunities and position yourself as a major player in Salt Lake City's thriving tech ecosystem.

Brace yourselves, cause the Utah Tech Council's Annual Meeting is about to go down, and it's gonna be epic! This event is like the Coachella of the tech world – a place where all the coolest innovators, entrepreneurs, and coding geniuses gather to network, share ideas, and shape the future of technology in Utah.

Imagine being surrounded by some of the most brilliant minds in the game, like the CEOs of companies you've only dreamed of working for.

Past events have featured heavy hitters like Daren Troutt from Amazon, Aaron Skonnard who co-founded Pluralsight, and even Nancy Smith, the former U.S. Chief Technology Officer under President Obama.

Talk about an opportunity to pick their brains and make some serious connections!

But it's not just about rubbing elbows with the tech elite. The Annual Meeting also hosts a slew of panel discussions that dive deep into the latest trends and hottest topics in the industry.

We're talking AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, scaling startups – you name it, they've got it covered. It's like getting a front-row seat to the future of tech, straight from the experts themselves.

And let's not forget about the networking opportunities.

This event is a prime chance to mingle with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and maybe even score your dream job or find your next co-founder. As Patricia Johnson, former President and CEO of the Utah Tech Council, said, "It's a catalyst for innovation and collaboration, bringing together the brightest minds and most passionate individuals."

Alright, so the Salt Lake City Art Crawl is this epic event where you can explore the city's vibrant art scene by hopping on public transit.

From thought-provoking sculptures to captivating murals, this self-guided tour will take you on a delightful exploration of our community's artistic treasures.

The Utah Transit Authority has put together a guide that maps out the various art stops along the way.

You can start your adventure at the Salt Lake Central Station, where you'll encounter Nori Sato's installation "Traveling Stones and Other Vagabonds" featuring massive stones with bronze suitcases embedded in them.

From there, you can hop on the TRAX and make your way to spots like the Gateway Plaza to check out murals by artists like Gina Ribaudo and INSA.

But the crawl isn't just about visual arts – it also takes you to cultural hotspots like the Utah Arts Festival and the Gilgal Sculpture Garden, which is home to some seriously unique sculptures created by Thomas Battersby Child Jr. And let's not forget about the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, where you can immerse yourself in a world of masterpieces.

The best part? You can explore all these incredible art destinations without worrying about driving or parking.

Just follow the UTA guide, hop on the bus or train, and let the artistic adventure unfold. It's a brilliant way to experience the vibrant creative scene in Salt Lake City while also getting a taste of the city's convenient public transit system.

Right in the heart of Salt Lake's buzzing tech scene, there's the Utah Open Source Foundation, a nonprofit that's all about open source software development and collaboration.

Established back in 2008, these guys are the hub for anyone stoked on open source principles, whether you're an individual, company, or studying at a local school.

By volunteering with them, you'll score some seriously valuable networking opportunities while contributing to rad projects that are shaping the future of tech.

The foundation offers a smorgasbord of volunteer gigs, from coding and testing to planning epic events and community outreach.

Their website mentions that as a volunteer, you'll get to work alongside industry pros, leveling up your skills and knowledge in a collaborative environment. A study by The Linux Foundation revealed that a whopping 92% of hiring managers value open source engagement when considering job candidates, so contributing to these projects is a major asset.

But it's not just about the technical side of things.

Volunteering with the Utah Open Source Foundation is a golden ticket to networking within Salt Lake's tech scene. They host regular meetups, hackathons, and seminars, connecting you with like-minded peeps.

One volunteer, James Lee, even said,

"The foundation helped me build a robust professional network, opening doors to career growth opportunities I never imagined."

By immersing yourself in this community, you can:

• Learn from industry veterans and stay ahead of the curve with emerging technologies.
• Showcase your skills and expertise to potential employers.
• Collaborate with diverse teams, honing your communication and problem-solving abilities.

The path to success in Salt Lake's tech scene is all about collaboration and innovation, and the Utah Open Source Foundation is a beacon for both, no doubt.

This Utah Code Camp sounds super cool! It's a huge, free tech event for developers to learn and connect.

According to their website, it's like a combo of a programming contest, design competition, and entrepreneurship challenge crammed into 24 insane hours.

You can join different divisions based on your skill level, from rookie to industry pro.

They have sessions on all the latest tech like AI, Minecraft mods, you name it. The winners from different project categories like apps, games, and maker projects actually get prizes! How awesome is that?

But it's not just about coding all night.

Utah Code Camp is the place to grow your network and meet mentors, investors, maybe even future business partners. You can attend cool workshops, listen to experts give talks, and straight-up chat with everyone from students to experienced devs.

It's like a massive tech meetup on steroids!

I definitely plan on going next year. The possibilities seem endless at an event like Utah Code Camp. If you're into tech at all, you gotta check it out!

To nail down the top 10 networking strategies for breaking into Salt Lake City's tech scene, we had to get real with the research. First up, we checked out event stats - attendance numbers, online buzz, and reached out to local influencers to see what events were popular.

The ones with a solid turnout and active online communities made our shortlist. Then we reached out to industry pros like seasoned techies, recruiters, and event organizers for their two cents on the most effective networking tactics.

They highlighted key factors to consider:

• Fostering genuine connections: Strategies focused on building meaningful relationships, not just surface-level chit-chat
• Boosting career growth: Opportunities to expand your professional network, learn about job openings, and gain insider industry knowledge
• Newbie-friendly vibes: Welcoming environments that cater to those just starting in the tech scene, offering mentorship and support

We also prioritized strategies tailored to the unique challenges faced by newbies trying to break into Utah's tech landscape.

Industry data from sources like the Salt Lake Chamber shows that networking is crucial for navigating career transitions and getting a foot in the door in this competitive field.

As Robert Gonzalez, VP of People at Podium, puts it,

"Attending local tech events has been game-changing for my career progression. The connections I've made opened doors to invaluable mentorship, job opportunities, and insider knowledge."

Plus, don't forget to check out Nucamp's list of must-attend tech meetups and conferences in SLC for more networking inspo.