Professional organizations are very useful places to network, because there you can meet people already in the field who gather to talk about that profession. But Lansky stresses that it's even more critical to become active in a group by serving on a committee. That way, you are interacting with people who can find out more about your skills, and you are visible, so people remember you. Many of these groups cross professional lines and are excellent sources of information if you are considering a career switch. Though memberships can be expensive, for the cost of lunch you can get a guest admission.
Most groups have student memberships.
You can find the phone numbers of national associations listed in the Encyclopedia of Associations in any library. Not all networking takes place in such formal settings, of course. Social occasions, such as golf outings or parties, provide excellent networking opportunities. But take care not to be pushy. If you are meeting somebody for the first time, take one or two minutes of their time and casually mention you are looking for a new job.