ABSTRACT. As college students, women who are in technology fields often find themselves in the minority. Luckily, most students are able to access supportive student groups such as SWE, WIC, women in data science, and others. But what happens when you graduate and land your first job working as a women in tech? Many women find themselves at companies that are even more gender- imbalanced than their college programs, often in new cities where they have to build new connections from scratch. Many networking groups for women in technology are hard to find or only offer conferences or meetups once or twice a year. It can be challenging to find a supportive community that offers guidance from women's perspective on professional situations such as salary negotiation, getting recognition for your work, and professional development. And as women progress in their careers, additional challenges emerge, including navigating management tracks, maternity leave policies, and juggling family life. Charlottesville Women in Tech (CWIT) is a non-profit that was created to address this need for connection and support among women who work in technology careers. This panel will feature CWIT board members who will share their stories about feeling alone in new jobs, seeking connections, and creating a strong, thriving group of local women who can network and guide each other through career (and life) challenges. The panel will discuss ways to find women in similar situations, how to create networking opportunities, and how to continue fostering connections throughout your entire career.