>I am somewhat confused by what do you mean by "feeling connected", however. What do you expect to give or receive from that connection?

I guess I'm expecting more momentum to be built from my professional experience. Being in touch with a circle of people that talk shop, and bounce job opportunities back and forth. Right now keeping in touch with people in the industry doesn't feel as organic. Meetups help but it's still a bit forced from my view.

I believe that benefits occur more organically simply by making friends. But as I said, my friends are not very familiar with the software industry, nor know anyone who hires in that industry, so they can't really help me out in the professional world.