It felt like attending parties in the past was somewhat good for me (though not as much as I expected before I started going to more parties) for keeping up to date on what is going on and what various people (including people who are otherwise too busy/intimidating for me to schedule one-on-ones with) thought about topics of my interest. If I went to zero EA parties, I guess I would be at a disadvantage compared to people who are similarly competent but go harder on networking.
I like this much more than the suggestion to have no parties.
I’m not advocating for ragers, but parties (a fairly loosely defined term) are great for getting to know people in a personal and non-work related way. Plus, they’re fun.
I don’t think one should need to attend them to get an job.
However, it’s hard to move away from the “it’s who you know” concept. Parties give you a chance to see who people are and if you would like to work with them as a person rather than who they are as a professional. I would much rather work with someone who knows their stuff AND is a joy to be around.
The end result being that hiring practice should ensure that the same group of friends aren’t the only one’s being hired, but cancelling parties and the like isn’t the answer.
(I should note that official organizations probably shouldn’t be throwing crazy parties with tons of binge drinking (there is still individual responsibility here of course) for so many other reasons than who gets hired. More moderate events, such as having drinks at a EAG should be continued. And private individuals throwing parties that involve EA people are their own topic.)
While parties are fun, we should do what we can to ensure you don’t need to attend them to work at EA organisations.
Do you need to currently?
It felt like attending parties in the past was somewhat good for me (though not as much as I expected before I started going to more parties) for keeping up to date on what is going on and what various people (including people who are otherwise too busy/intimidating for me to schedule one-on-ones with) thought about topics of my interest. If I went to zero EA parties, I guess I would be at a disadvantage compared to people who are similarly competent but go harder on networking.
Upvote if you think so.
Need is a very strong word so I’m voting no. Might sometimes be marginally advantageous though.
I like this much more than the suggestion to have no parties.
I’m not advocating for ragers, but parties (a fairly loosely defined term) are great for getting to know people in a personal and non-work related way. Plus, they’re fun.
I don’t think one should need to attend them to get an job.
However, it’s hard to move away from the “it’s who you know” concept. Parties give you a chance to see who people are and if you would like to work with them as a person rather than who they are as a professional. I would much rather work with someone who knows their stuff AND is a joy to be around.
The end result being that hiring practice should ensure that the same group of friends aren’t the only one’s being hired, but cancelling parties and the like isn’t the answer.
(I should note that official organizations probably shouldn’t be throwing crazy parties with tons of binge drinking (there is still individual responsibility here of course) for so many other reasons than who gets hired. More moderate events, such as having drinks at a EAG should be continued. And private individuals throwing parties that involve EA people are their own topic.)
This is quite a vague suggestion.