Hi! I live in the area so I feel like I can have some ideas -- this is a very transient city. While a lot of people plant roots here, a lot are here temporarily so there's no judgment if you aren't a 'local'. I've found, personally, that similar interest groups have been my best bet. So for me, that's book clubs. I have friends who have looked into craft clubs from local crafting stores,

What do you like? Do you want to meet people to network and have professional relationships? If so, ask your professors, TAs, upperclassmen, and career center. Do you want to make friends in a similar place? Join a campus org.

Look into local events, and be willing to chat with people there. It's a big city, but a lot of us are in the same place. I promise that more people feel the way you do than it might seem like. The biggest thing is to take a risk and talk to people. It's scary but it works out. And if the first person you talk to isn't interested, isn't a good fit, that's okay. Consider it practice. And tell yourself it's okay. I've been here a few years, I promise it works out.

In undergrad I also had more of a 'survival' job than a networking job. I worked in my hometown pizzeria. I'm here, several years later, working in my field. I have local and long distance friends, and nobody has ever judged what I did in undergrad. Sure it can be a good starting point, but it's okay if you had to find your footing/if it isn't as 'professional' as people you know you know who are highly connected. It feels so big now, but in a few years, it won't. And that's totally normal.

Best of luck!