5 best networking groups for Irish students and graduates in New York

Whether you're moving to New York on a J-1, Grad Visa or internship programme, these five communities can help you build friendships, find career opportunities and settle into life in NYC.

It's not easy moving to a new country but, thanks to Odhran and these community groups, life in the Big Apple will feel a little easier.

Arriving in New York as an Irish student

Ehm.. this is the address, do you know it? My first official New York interaction. I handed the taxi driver the address of my hostel I had hurriedly scribbled on a piece of paper in my house back home in Laois that morning. ‘About 55 minutes’ he responded. ‘Ah ok amazing thanks’, I said, relieved that I had successfully navigated my first job on landing – leaving the airport.

As he navigated the lanes of the highway, the New York skyline came into view and it suddenly all became real – I had landed in the Empire State.

My support network was the other side of the Atlantic and I literally knew no one in this city. I needn’t have worried. What I didn’t realise sitting in the back of the cab was that I was entering a city that comes with a vast and established Irish network ready to throw their weight behind the countless Irish students that arrive there every year. You just have to know where to find them.

The best groups for Irish students in New York

Whether you're searching for friends, professional connections, internship opportunities or simply people who understand exactly what you're experiencing, these are the first five places I'd recommend.

Irish Network NYC

Number one on the list is Irish Network NYC. They host a social event for Irish grads and J1 students every single month. They’re usually on the third Thursday of the month and are hosted typically in one of the many Irish bars in Manhattan. I can vouch that I met some great friends here. It’s full of people like you, many new arrivals, some coming to the end of their Grad visas, and many who are in the city a few years. Chances are, you’ll hit it off with a few people and before you know it, you’ll be grabbing a slice together after the event.

Irish Business Organisation (IBO)

The bane of many grad students’ life is trying to secure their first internship when they arrive. Fear not, the good folks at the Irish Business Organisation recognise this and they too host monthly networking events. They bring together business leaders from across the New York and Tri-State area with a wealth of knowledge from a variety of professional backgrounds. If they themselves aren’t knowledgeable on your field of interest, chances are they’ll know someone who is.

Fun fact: I met my would-be supervisor for my first internship at one of their events (thanks IBO!).

Irish Counties Association

Irish Counties Association is a seriously underrated resource for Irish grads in NYC. Did you know that every county on the island of Ireland has its own New York association? You do now! And trust me, they would love to meet you. Just last year, they launched their ‘Drive to Revive’ campaign in an effort to attract young Irish arrivals into the fold. The majority of their members arrived in the city between the 1950’s and 1980’s. In that time, they have built up a wealth of knowledge and connections and would only love to impart that onto you.

Second fun fact: I joined the Laois Association shortly after arriving and a few months later, I was carrying our county’s banner in the St. Patrick’s Day parade down Fifth Avenue. Like hello?

### First Friday Networking Morning in the Irish Consulate

The Irish Consulate is a tremendous source of support for the Irish community in New York. Each month they host a networking morning in their Park Avenue home at 8am, typically on the First Friday of each month. They usually host a guest speaker and highlight the various achievements of the Irish community in NYC over the past month, as well as looking ahead to what’s to come.

Similar to the IBO, it attracts well-connected industry professionals from a variety of backgrounds who are always incredibly supportive of new Irish arrivals in the city. It also attracts a lot of Grad Visa students, so chances are you’ll also make a few friends.

Top tip: It’s worth registering for their mailing list online and register in advance as this event tends to sell out quickly.

Navigating New York

A must-listen podcast series for any new arrivals. If you know anyone who has done a Grad Visa to the Big Apple, chances are they’ve come across the show’s fantastic host, Sophie Colgan. The entire series, along with the Navigating New York Instagram page are a tremendous source of insider tips and knowledge for newly arrived Irish grads.

Building your network in New York starts with saying 'yes'

These five groups are only the beginning. New York is full of networking events, industry meet-ups and social communities, no matter what career you're pursuing. The hardest part is simply showing up.

When I landed at JFK, I knew absolutely nobody. Within two months, I'd secured an internship, built an incredible group of friends and created a professional network that helped shape my time in New York.

The opportunities are there. You just have to walk through the door. As someone told me at one of my very first networking events: "The city won't come to you while you're sitting in your apartment."

Thinking about moving to New York?

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