1. In Harmony: Collaboration between Career Services and Alumni RelationsSouthern Association of Colleges and Employers (SoACE) December 2009 Dr. Mary Kay Cooper, Director of Alumni Relations Dr. Brian Hirsch, Director of Career Services
46. Making Connections Student Learning Outcomes 91% of respondents reported learning about appropriate business attire 88% of respondents reported practicing networking skills 91% of respondents reported feeling more comfortable with networking after attending Your Input: Ideas for SLO’s…
MARY KAYThe job of the Career Network Chair is to assist students and graduates with networking within their geographic area or specific occupation/industry. They are also often called on to be the event chairs for networking receptions.
MARY KAYMaking Connections is a signature series of events physically bringing students and alumni together to network. The series is coordinated between the Alumni Career Network, the Alumni Relations Office, and Career Services.Typically the networking events take place early in January when students are home for winter break. (Not necessarily in their home towns.)The series started with just one program (in Houston, not even in SA) over 15 years ago. We have over a dozen programs scheduled for this spring in places like Atlanta, Albuquerque, Denver, and Phoenix.[How many of you have something similar to our Making Connections series?]BRIANOur role is primarily to support and assist alumni relations and to make sure that the word gets out to students that they can and should participate.How many of you are “in the business” of trying to get students to participate in similar type programs?
BRIANPart of Making Connections that is particularly effective and somewhat unique is our small group format. Depending on the location we will have 5 – 12 industry sectors represented and individuals are given the opportunity to spend 30-45 minutes with alumni representatives who can speak directly to issues related to careers in these areas. It is a great way to get students “warmed-up” for a larger general networking session and also an educational opportunity for students as they are learning to network.[Brian to add student satisfaction here.]
BRIANInterested alumni create a user profile. There are quite a few fields that alumni can fill out to indicate their work background, their Trinity background, and the areas that they are interested in mentoring. They can set the system to limit the number of contacts in any given 30 day period of time. We haven’t had any complaints that they were being contacted too frequently. Most will opt to create a first-contact system through the TigerJobs system itself and then work out how subsequent contacts are to take place.
Snapshots SearchBRIANStudents can search for mentors using any number of criteria. My favorite to recommend is the keyword search which often brings up “hidden gems.” Students can click on the mentor name and then the system will allow them to contact the individual directly.My usual advice for students is to “tell their story” on introducing themselves to the mentor and then ask relevant questions etc.What advice do you give students on contacting networking contacts via similar systems?
BRIANCareers in the CityWhat is “Careers in the City?” A new program that gives you the opportunity to spend one day with a local employer in yourfield of interest, and explore their operations and cultureWhy should I participate? Gain first‐hand experience with what it’s like to be a professional in the work worldExpand your professional network and perhaps gain a mentorExplore interest and work expectations within the organizationLearn about career tracks and necessary skills for the industryDiscover more about your own work values and goalsCareer NetworkCareer Map – an easier way for users to search out individuals based on their geographic locationCareer Concentration – an easier way for users to search individuals by their career areas or areas in which they have experience and could be useful advisorsRebranding the Snapshots – Ideas for rebranding snapshots:Alumni Information Exchange (AIE)Alumni Career information Exchange (ACE)Alumni Sharing Experience (ASE)Career Network Exchange (CNE)Career Advisory Network (CAN) Alumni Career Advisory Network (ACAN)
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