Networking and Support Groups
Career Transition Primer
NETWORKING AND SUPPORT GROUPS
Support groups for the unemployed have grown in importance as the unemployment rate has increased, and they are a good source for networking. They are located all over the city. Some are specific to their industry and others cater to diversified clientele. Some (but by no means all) to consider are:
In NAM's Community (INC.) - meets at Northwest Assistance Ministry, 4610 FM 1960 West. Contact Lois Crowley at 583-5627.
Meetings are the first and third Mondays of each month at 9 AM. A different speaker discusses different subjects each meeting in addition to work group participation and interaction. Well organized north-side meeting with some office services (word processing, laser jet printer, copier, and fax machine) available.
Job Club Meeting for zip codes 77065, 77429, or 77433 - meets at Cypress Community Assistance Ministry, 11202 Huffmeister. Contact Linda Nielson at 955-7684.
Meetings are every Monday at 9:30 AM. Small, friendly meetings for limited geographic area with discussion of job leads and support. Office services include word processing, laser jet printer, copier, and fax machine.
Oilfield Christian Fellowship - meets at First Baptist Church of Houston, 7401 Katy Freeway. Contact John Bird at 319-3000 or 319-3003.
Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month with lunch at 11:30 AM ($8) followed by a personal testimonial and, at 1 PM, support group meeting. Good oil industry network group in a religious fellowship setting on the West side.
Career Resource Center Job Support Group - meets at 2307 Crystal Springs Dr., Kingwood. Contact Betty Arnold at 359-8804.
Meetings are every Thursday morning at 9 AM. Call for directions and weekly discussion topics. Facilities include phones, word processing, and fax service.
The Reveille Club - meets weekly on Thursday morning at the Houston City Club, Nine Greenway Plaza at the Summit. All Aggies and friends of the University are invited to attend.
Meetings held every Thursday morning (6:45 AM). Meetings costs $5-10, depending if you eat breakfast. Well-attended combination business networking and job placement meeting where everyone is introduced. A database of unemployed local Aggies (all industries) is maintained for employers. Visit http://www.reveille.org/ for more information.
Aggie Petroleum Engineers Society (APES) - This organization is currently being restructured and is not holding their regular meetings at this time. Please check back for updates.
Remember, out of sight means out of mind. If your peers don't see you, they think you got a job. That can be ruinous when they later hear of a job opening.
Currently, other networking clubs (welcoming job seekers) are listed in the Business sections of the Monday editions of our two major newspapers and the smaller area papers. Professional society meetings for other industries are also listed.