Why should I attend a local Tech User Group?

User Groups exist today so that attendees can connect with others in your area using the same technology to run, manage and stay active in the tech community.

Below are some benefits for professionals and employers:

• Gain new knowledge and share your knowledge with others to help them learn and grow.
• Network and build friendships with like-minded individuals who attend regularly.
• Opportunities to ask questions.
• Employers attend, so there are opportunities for job seekers to find a job and employers to find candidates looking to progress their careers.
• Technology is changing all the time. These meetups can help you to stay ahead of the curve.
• Learn about different vendors and products/tools that could make your job easier.
• Don’t forget the free food and swag.

Now that you have heard why you should attend. If time or location prevented you from attending a user group in the past. The fact that they moved online since the start of the pandemic should make them more appealing.

You do not need to be based in the user group’s location to attend, as they are live-streamed, making them more accessible. You would register for the event in advance and watch it live or catch the replay afterwards. It has also meant that speakers have not been limited to the UK, opening the floor to international speakers to share their knowledge.

 
The benefit of attending these online events live is paramount to their success. User groups bring like-minded people together; to collaborate and discuss technical topics. By signing up to catch the replay, you are effectively missing out on the live discussion. 

 
Virtual events have been popular during lockdown and as restrictions start to lift, some user groups will continue to have a mixture of in-person and online meetings.

 
Not sure if a user group is right for you? Why not attend one virtually and experience it for yourself. They generally involve the speaker sharing their presentation slides for you to view on screen whilst they go about their talk.

 
Below is a list of the Tech user Groups that Spectrum IT Recruitment sponsor enabling them to be FREE for you to attend.

Check out their upcoming talks and sign up today:

Southampton Data Platform and Cloud Group - Southampton Data Platform & Cloud Group (Chilworth Science Park, United Kingdom) | Meetup

PHP Hampshire - PHP Hampshire (Portsmouth, United Kingdom) | Meetup

Developer South Coast - Developer South Coast (Southampton, United Kingdom) | Meetup

Once registered, you should receive an email with the event details for you to join the video call prior to the start of the event.