From Stranger to Collaborator — How Networking Sparked My Career Shift

I still remember the nerves before my first LinkedIn Local Calgary event. I had just left a 10-year corporate career and was unsure of my next move. A friend encouraged me to attend, saying, “Just go and meet people. You never know what might come of it.”

They were right.

That night, I met people from industries I had never considered. One conversation stood out — a passionate local entrepreneur shared their vision for a new project and mentioned they were looking for someone with operations experience. We exchanged contacts and met for coffee the next week.

That coffee turned into a contract. That contract turned into a partnership. And that partnership eventually led me to co-found a business I never would’ve dreamed of just months earlier.

Here’s what I learned from that experience:

• Networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about building relationships.
• Be open-minded — opportunities often come from unexpected places.
• Your next big step might be one conversation away.

LinkedIn Local Calgary gave me the platform I needed to connect, listen, and grow. If you’re on the edge of a career transition or simply looking for direction, come join us. Your next collaborator — or co-founder — might just be in the room.