I'm invited to this Christmas celebration...

[KrillBee]

I received an mail invitation a few weeks ago, from a company that I did IT contract from July-October.
They are having a "Christmas celebration" this Friday from 7-10pm, at some building downtown, where there will be a gospel music group, hors d'oeuvres, and desert.

When I worked with the company, there were a few other temporary employees like me that were fun to be around, a ton of nontemp employees i never met, and a few upper management guys that i know and have mediocre feelings towards.
I don't know if the other temp employees that I liked are showing up. I dont have a strong desire to go. I was going to not reply, but the secretary sent another invite via email to me on Friday.

I'm not into gospell music, i dont feel a strong need to see these people again, and I dont want to be bored for 3 hours.
Also I'm embarassed because I haven't found a job yet, and I'm sure these peeps will ask about that.
Keep in mind that most of the people who work for this company are older (like 30+) so not really the type I'd care to associate with. (I'm 22)
My parents said I should go. My friend said I should just skip it if I dont want to, so now I'm wanting to hear the ATOT opinion.

EDIT:
-there will be no liquor there
-in regards to networking, I'm not sure if I plan on working IT for my next job anyway. plus i dont like networking.

UDPATE: I decided that I'm going. It can't hurt. I will include another update later to let everyone know how it goes

UPDATE #2: 12/8/06 11:09 PM
got back awhile ago. saw some friends there from before, some of the food was okay, some of it sucked, and the music was decent (but i only listened to the blues/jazz band and left before the gospel group came, lol)

all in all it was ok, but nothing special. im sorta glad i did it though, that way people didnt think i forgot about them or wanted to neglect them by not showing up, lol. but i've had much more exciting parties!

 

[Kalvin00]

sounds to me like you dont want to go. therefore, dont go

 

[CraKaJaX]

What do you have to lose?

 

[Kirby]

free food, there is no question.

 

[TehMac]

Yeah, especially since you don't have a job, free food is worth the boredom. Being a X-mas party they'll probably have liquor, so make sure you have a DD or don't drink.
But I'd say go for it. Have your friend come too, they won't notice.
(Or walk)

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
free food, there is no question.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

If you don't like it you can always just eat and leave.

 

[FoBoT]

go for sure, sounds excellent

 

[ranmaniac]

Free food and liquor make the day go by quicker.

 

[Xstatic1]

oh, go for it!!! like everyone is saying, free food. plus u never know if someone there knows of a job opening (with the same company or elsewhere) that u'd be perfect for. and being on a friday night, if u are bored....u could always skip out early by saying u have another xmas party to attend.

 

[Jadow]

good networking opportunity.

Also I'm embarassed because I haven't found a job yet, and I'm sure these peeps will ask about that.

That's a reason you SHOULD go.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00
sounds to me like you dont want to go. therefore, dont go

I really dont want to go. But at the same time, I know that sometimes in life we should make ourselves do things that we dont want to. And I'm wondering if this time is one of those times.

Originally posted by: CraKaJaX
What do you have to lose?

Originally posted by: nkgreen
free food, there is no question.

3 hours and potential social awkwardness (talking to people i dont care to talk to, and discussing the fact im unemployed still)

there IS a question, thats why i made this post.
this doesnt feel so cut and dry.

Originally posted by: TehMac
Yeah, especially since you don't have a job, free food is worth the boredom. Being a X-mas party they'll probably have liquor, so make sure you have a DD or don't drink.
But I'd say go for it. Have your friend come too, they won't notice.
(Or walk)

They wont have liquor I dont think, because this is a Christian company. Also I dont have any friends that would want to go, lol. So i'd be going solo.

Originally posted by: Xstatic1
oh, go for it!!! like everyone is saying, free food. plus u never know if someone there knows of a job opening (with the same company or elsewhere) that u'd be perfect for. and being on a friday night, if u are bored....u could always skip out early by saying u have another xmas party to attend.

another thing, I'm not sure if I want to do another IT job, so keep that in mind as well

other points taken. I'd feel weird about skipping out early, but I suppose I could make myself do it if i really felt bored.

 

[Jadow]

don't feel wierd about skipping out early. No-one there will notice or care. They're there to enjoy the time for themselves, not pay attention to you.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: Jadow
don't feel wierd about skipping out early. No-one there will notice or care. They're there to enjoy the time for themselves, not pay attention to you.

thats not the part id feel weirdest about. I'd feel weird admitting i dont have a job. also im not sure if i even want a job in IT, so I'm not sure if they could be of any help either.

 

[sjwaste]

NETWORKING. Go.

It's never a bad idea to put on a smile and meet some people or refresh some acquaintances. Haven't found a job yet? Maybe someone there needs an employee.

At work, I accomplish more through maintaining relationships than I do via technical matters, and the same applies between jobs too. Never hurts to keep contacts open.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
NETWORKING. Go.

It's never a bad idea to put on a smile and meet some people or refresh some acquaintances. Haven't found a job yet? Maybe someone there needs an employee.

At work, I accomplish more through maintaining relationships than I do via technical matters, and the same applies between jobs too. Never hurts to keep contacts open.

keep in mind though that I dont think I will be wanting another IT job, infact I dont know what i want to do for my next career.

And for some reason I guess I'm not a fan of networking, gosh I dont know how I manage, lol.

 

[Maximilian]

Haha no liquor and gospel music? :thumbsdown:

Whats to gain? Certainly not a good time!

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: sjwaste
NETWORKING. Go.

It's never a bad idea to put on a smile and meet some people or refresh some acquaintances. Haven't found a job yet? Maybe someone there needs an employee.

At work, I accomplish more through maintaining relationships than I do via technical matters, and the same applies between jobs too. Never hurts to keep contacts open.

keep in mind though that I dont think I will be wanting another IT job, infact I dont know what i want to do for my next career.

And for some reason I guess I'm not a fan of networking, gosh I dont know how I manage, lol.

I hate networking too, but it's necessary. I work FT and am in law school now, so I try to meet as many people as possible. It's the idea of networking that I hate, but I really do like meeting new people and bs'ing with them about things.

In your situation, though, you don't have a job. These folks could help you w/ that if they know you. It's not always about taking a job you want, sometimes ya gotta do what's there until what you want opens up.

Either way, go. It really can't hurt to keep in touch with these folks.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Soviet
Haha no liquor and gospel music? :thumbsdown:

Whats to gain? Certainly not a good time!

An Olde English or Colt before going would certainly be an option. Nothing lubricates better than malt liquor.

 

[intogamer]

Go! Not under any pressure to act good infront of the boss

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: sjwaste

I hate networking too, but it's necessary. I work FT and am in law school now, so I try to meet as many people as possible. It's the idea of networking that I hate, but I really do like meeting new people and bs'ing with them about things.

In your situation, though, you don't have a job. These folks could help you w/ that if they know you. It's not always about taking a job you want, sometimes ya gotta do what's there until what you want opens up.

Either way, go. It really can't hurt to keep in touch with these folks.

Maybe so. *sigh* The thing about networking is that I'm not really a fan of meeting these new people and bs'ing with them either. Part of the problem is that these people are going to be a lot older than me, so I dont feel connected to them.

Also I dont want to feel like the reason I'm talking to these people is just in hopes that I find a job through them. I would want to go to enjoy their company. But I'm not even sure if I care to see these people that badly.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: sjwaste

I hate networking too, but it's necessary. I work FT and am in law school now, so I try to meet as many people as possible. It's the idea of networking that I hate, but I really do like meeting new people and bs'ing with them about things.

In your situation, though, you don't have a job. These folks could help you w/ that if they know you. It's not always about taking a job you want, sometimes ya gotta do what's there until what you want opens up.

Either way, go. It really can't hurt to keep in touch with these folks.

Maybe so. *sigh* The thing about networking is that I'm not really a fan of meeting these new people and bs'ing with them either. Part of the problem is that these people are going to be a lot older than me, so I dont feel connected to them.

Also I dont want to feel like the reason I'm talking to these people is just in hopes that I find a job through them. I would want to go to enjoy their company. But I'm not even sure if I care to see these people that badly.

You won't be any worse off by keeping in touch, though, right? And hey, you'll get a little bit of free food in the process.

Actually, a cheesy Christmas party makes for a good date sometimes. Might consider that

 

[bctbct]

I went to our Company Xmas party yesterday. The CEO brought his barber, first time cut I believe. Barber was wearing new pants with a small plastic bag overhanging the waistband with the extra button in it.

All employees found this quite amusing and on par with our CEOs normal behavior. :laugh:

 

[boredhokie]

They let temps go to parties there? Man, what a drag

 

[spidey07]

krillbee,

Networking is networking and the most important part of your career and your name no matter what industry. Take this opportunity and run with it.

Or be a puss and pass up the opportunity to advance your career.

-edit- I just re-read again. So you don't have a job, you are invited to an event that could get you a job and make contacts, you are pondering if you should go or not.

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you NOT want to get a job or advance your career? This is a golden opportunity.

Use it. It's basically being handed to you on a silver platter and you won't take action?

WTF dude? WTF?

 

[KrillBee]

UPDATE: I decided that I'm going.

Originally posted by: sjwaste

You won't be any worse off by keeping in touch, though, right? And hey, you'll get a little bit of free food in the process.

Actually, a cheesy Christmas party makes for a good date sometimes. Might consider that

yeah, i decided that this couldnt hurt. Too late on the date thing though, I already invited my dad, lol, he wants to hear the music.

Originally posted by: boredhokie
They let temps go to parties there? Man, what a drag

lol, yeah, i was kinda suprised i got an invite.