Rashid Hill, MPM ⋅ San Diego , CA United States Navy ⋅ 33 years experience

Hello Andrew, based on what you are looking for I think you have a great start in finding like minded people right here on ACP site. We are all here to network in assisting all veterans and advisor in some way or another. This is a great place to start and staying in contact with your mentor will open up new ideas and ways to expand your connections. Others have given you great options and so all I can add is listen to yourself, find out what you are really passionate about and connect that to a career.
I work with people like you all the time; seeking to find their calling and build a brand that attracts your mission and purpose in life. All the best to you.

Let me know if I can be of assistance.

Coach Rashid
L3 Pro Coach

Laurie Kirk ⋅ Tampa , FL Bristol-Myers Squibb ⋅ 30 years experience

Set up your profile on LinkedIn and join some of the groups listed there, don't be afraid to reach out to other LinkedIn members to connect or ask questions if appropriate. Join Business or Professional groups that address areas that you are interested in - for example, I am a woman in health-care so I have a great networking resource in the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA), I attend events, get to network, and learn from what is presented. This site will only give you access to people who are looking for advice, and those who can give it.

Susana Moraga ⋅ Hayward , CA California State University East Bay ⋅ 20 years experience

Andrew,
The most important thing in developing a network is to know what you want to do so. This will help you to reach out in the most effective way.
You mention aligning yourself with other professionals, I'm not sure what that means.
At the beginning of various careers I have had four; attorney, lobbyist, community activist, life coach and career counselor. I joined professional associations to better understand how working professionals worked in the field and to keep abreast of the field.
I learned by doing and volunteered a lot so I could experience different settings in my field without changing jobs.
A network should be give and take and support you in your professional development and expertise.
Good luck,

Mary Ucci ⋅ Cincinnati , OH Santa Maria Community Services ⋅ 20 years experience

Hello,
I would like to build off the volunteer suggestion. I understand you need to make a living, but part-time volunteering often leads to a passion that you make work later as a full-time job. I would also encourage you to explore AmeriCorps, especially for veterans. They match volunteers with positions and they offer a living stipend. There are other perks as well.
Just Google AmeriCorps and get started! Good luck.

Samantha Gammill ⋅ Pataskala , OH CSC ⋅ 20 years experience

Hello Andrew,

Thank you for your service.

I would be more than happy to connect with you on LinkedIn, if you would like, but you should stick to the industry tnat you would like to stay in as the main focus, having too many contacts can be a drawback as well. It would just confuse you and the folks that you are trying to reach out to. I am in the IT/ERP/Project Management area, if that is your desired goals then you can find me via LinkedIn.
Good luck in your search and welcome to ACP

Kathleen Dunn ⋅ New York , NY ioby ⋅ 6 years experience

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for your service and for signing up on ACP AdvisorNet. One of the best ways to practice networking is to take a look at the Community page on this site. There you are able to search for Advisors by experience, industry and location.

Once you've identified a few Advisors you would like to contact I'd recommend working with your Mentor to develop specific questions related to your career development and your desired industry.

If you have any questions please feel free to send me a message and I would be happy to assist.

Best,
Kathleen

Nanette Fabros ⋅ Woodstock , IL Salton Inc ⋅ 10 years experience

Hello mister Martin
Well, not much to generate here, all done by ACP. Good networking is done in person. Go to veterans events, business networking events, how to events, free events, every time you go somewhere, your chances go up, that you can meet someone & exchange info. So have a business card ready or - a calling card. Basically a nice - have it on nice card stock, formatted nicely - maybe OFFICE MAX or my FAVE Vista Print, sales all the time and ready made templates. I am disabled, but my name, email, website & my area of interest is on there. Please no ink jet flimsy ones, crumpled in a pocket. Shows more than you think & may get tossed. You can meet friends to support you, help each other, or! A potential employer, it happens! So get some nice business casual clothes lined up, get a nice haircut & start meeting & greeting! Oh, volunteering is great for this too. And if you do volunteer somewhere for a while, you van put that experience on a resume too. Best of luck to you sir & thank you for protecting me & our country wirh your service!