People think joining user groups is just about business networking… but that’s NOT all, I promise!

What else can you get from user groups?

→ Insights and Knowledge That ISN’T Available Elsewhere

You’re getting sneak peeks at new tools, features, and best practices directly from industry leaders – sometimes without the public knowing any of it!

→ Problem Solving with Peers Who’ve Already Done It

It’s like a cheat-code for your career. Get help and advice from mentors that are steps ahead and can pass their wisdom on to you so you can get your most complex problems solved.

→ Skill Development in Real Time

You’re learning from real-world scenarios shared by people who live them daily. It’s like an ongoing workshop tailored to your needs based on the platform or technology you’re interested in.

→ Community Support That Goes Beyond Work

As I mentioned, it’s not just about business networking. These are communities where you can go beyond your profession and meet people to share wins, frustrations, and help you navigate the ups and downs with both work and your personal life.

I’ve been a part of many, and I continue to benefit from being an organizer and leader as well as an attendee.

Wanna check out a user group for yourself?

Here are three I recommend if you work at a company that’s a Microsoft shop (which I’m also a leader of):

• Portland Azure User Group
• Portland Fabric User Group
• Portland Power Platform User Group