Network • Opportunity • Development • Engagement
A central place for post-grad young professionals to grow, connect, and build real career momentum across North American city hubs.
Mission + identity
Our mission is to connect young professionals with peers and mentors across major North American city hubs, bridging gaps in access and visibility by facilitating the exchange of best practices, promoting access to opportunities, and building a valuable network where the next generation of leaders grow together.
Regional connection points
Conference experience
NODE is designed to avoid passive, sit-and-listen programming. Expect breakout tables, practical labs, industry conversations, and social experiences that help attendees leave with new relationships and a clearer next step.
Day one is optional and mainly relevant for attendees traveling from out of town. There's no formal programming — it's just time to travel, check in, and settle in before the main event.
Keynote, industry breakouts, topic-based sessions, networking games, skill labs, and a closing experience designed to turn conversation into action.
Day three is optional — spend the day exploring Orange County with the friends and connections you made at NODE, including a trip to Laguna Beach.
Saturday schedule draft
8:30 – 9:25Breakfast + check-in
9:30 – 10:30Opening intro + keynote speaker
10:30 – 12:00Industry-based breakouts with meet-and-greet tables
12:00 – 1:30Lunch, prayer break, and optional resume/LinkedIn review
1:30 – 2:30Topic-based breakouts selected by attendee interest
2:30 – 3:30Gamified networking, coffee/tea, headshots, and assessments
3:30 – 4:30Skill labs: financial planning, AI tools, interviews, salary negotiation, and career planning
4:30 – 5:00Closing remarks + feedback survey
5:00 – 6:00Prayer break, dinner, and transportation
6:30 – 9:00Bonfire social experience
Tracks + workshops
Banking, consulting, accounting, entrepreneurship, capital, and professional services conversations.
Career paths, professional school decisions, clinical leadership, and healthcare networking.
Software careers, AI tools, technical growth, product thinking, and industry disruption.
Mechanical, electrical, systems, infrastructure, manufacturing, and applied innovation tracks.
Film, architecture, design, UX/UI, creative portfolios, and building a sustainable creative career.
Legal careers, policy pathways, public leadership, graduate school decisions, and civic impact.
Teaching, learning, mentorship, nonprofit leadership, and community-centered professional growth.
Resume critique, LinkedIn, headshots, salary negotiation, interviews, time management, and financial literacy.
Featured speakers
More names will be announced as the lineup is confirmed. Our speakers span healthcare, medicine, education, technology, and strategy.
Medical Physicist in Radiation Oncology and Assistant Professor at Keck School of Medicine of USC, and Residency Program Director for the Medical Physics Residency Program.
Healthcare & Medical PhysicsDoctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Family Nurse Practitioner, and IFM-certified Lactation Consultant focused on primary care, women's health, and integrative, preventive medicine.
Healthcare & Women's Health
Chief Strategy Officer at Study Smart Tutors, leading strategy across education, sales, marketing, and customer experience with a focus on equity, access, and student impact.
Education & StrategyAI, product, and big-tech experience.
AI + career growthBanking and finance.
Finance trackIndustry roundtables and skill labs.
Multiple tracksWhat attendees gain
Skills. Attendees leave with useful takeaways: resume feedback, stronger LinkedIn presence, interview practice, salary negotiation tools, financial literacy, and AI workflows.
Relationships. NODE creates intentional spaces to meet peers, mentors, and professionals from other cities, industries, and career stages.
Direction. The conference is built to help attendees clarify their next move, whether that means career growth, graduate school, a pivot, or stronger community involvement.
Important note. NODE is a career-development and networking conference. Attendance does not guarantee hiring, referrals, internships, jobs, or long-term mentorship.
Registration pricing
Tickets are sold separately through Eventbrite once your application is accepted — the team will email your personal registration link with the rate below that applies at that time.
Best rate for accepted applicants who register through August 16.
Standard registration window, August 17 – September 30.
Limited late registration, October 1 – 14, based on remaining capacity.
Planning team
President
Overall direction, team progress, major decisions, and conflict resolution.Vice President
Team follow-ups, coordination, gap tracking, and day-to-day support.Venue and Operations Coordinators
Venue, setup, guest logistics, catering, contracts, pricing, materials, and gifts.Content and Strategy Coordinators
Workshop themes, speaker research, agenda design, and day-of program flow.Head of Media, Marketing, Sales & Growth
Website, branding, visuals, social content, surveys, RSVP, promotion, and impact reports.Board Communications & Community Outreach
Applications, admissions criteria, regional contacts, RSVP details, attendee communication, and East Coast coordination.Technical and Crisis Support
Microphones, screens, slides, equipment setup, troubleshooting, and urgent day-of support.Apply now
NODE is designed as a curated, referral-aware experience. Share your region, career field, goals, and how you heard about the event so the team can follow up with next steps.
Details
NODE is for post-grad young professionals, recent graduates, and early- to mid-career professionals who want to build skills, meet peers, and connect with mentors across North American city hubs.
NODE is currently planned as a curated, application-based conference with targeted outreach through regional contacts and references. It's kept intentionally intimate, drawing young professionals from across the United States.
NODE stands for Network, Opportunity, Development, and Engagement. It represents a central connection point where young professionals can grow together.
Sessions may include industry breakouts, topic-based discussions, resume editing, LinkedIn review, professional headshots, financial literacy, AI tools, interviewing, salary negotiation, career planning, graduate school decisions, and networking workshops.
NODE is not a job placement program and does not guarantee hiring, referrals, internships, jobs, or long-term mentorship. The goal is to create access, visibility, practical learning, and meaningful professional relationships.
NODE will be held at Gillette House, 17475 Gillette Ave STE 100, Irvine, CA 92614. Full room and schedule details will be shared with accepted applicants closer to the event.
Email node@anatoliaculturalcenters.org for any questions about your application, the event, or anything else.