A full pavilion in Plano
The forecast called for clouds, but the weather turned out beautiful, and the covered pavilion at Arbor Hills quickly filled up. Members brought their families, friends, and colleagues, and everyone shared dishes from the potluck table. Many of us met people we had only known online for the first time, and the tables were full of new faces from start to finish.
Getting to know each other
After lunch we went around the tables with member introductions and plenty of open conversation. The group was wonderfully diverse: experienced engineers and team leads from across the industry, professors and students from a local university, and even a member who drove in from Oklahoma to join us. Conversations ranged from career advice and job searching to mentoring and the latest in tech.
Shaping what comes next
The IT Society team shared an overview of our community, focus groups, and mentorship program, followed by an open discussion about future activities in Texas. Hands went up all around the pavilion with ideas and questions. A few themes stood out:
- Bringing experienced members into mentorship, focus groups, and volunteering
- Starting a Women in Tech group in Texas
- Supporting students and recent graduates in their job search
- Finding ways to meet more often between larger events
We'll be following up on these ideas in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.
Thank you
A big thank-you to everyone who joined us, to all who brought a dish to share, and to the volunteers who organized the day. See you at the next IT Society Texas event!