At first glance, University of Arizona and Smith College may not seem to have a lot in common.
University of Arizona is a public research university with more than 260,000 alumni, while Smith College is a private, liberal arts college on the East Coast with 40,000 alumnae.
What is the missing link, you ask? Why, chat events, of course!
In this webinar, learn how alumni relations teams at University of Arizona and Smith College, are utilizing online chat events to provide unparalleled access to career development resources and to help their alumni unlock professional opportunities.
Sign up for this webinar and you'll learn:
- How online chat events are revolutionizing the way universities engage alumni and students
- What you can start doing today to successfully bring your events online
- How both universities are surpassing their engagement initiatives
- Actionable tips for engaging a geographically dispersed alumni base
The Secret to Hosting Networking Events Your Alumni Love
1. The Secret to Hosting Networking
Events Your Alumni Love
April 27th, 2017
11AM PT / 2PM ET
2. Meet Your Presenters
Susan Kaleita Lindsey McGrath
Director, Alumni Career Lab
University of Arizona
Program Specialist,
Office of Alumnae Relations
Smith College
Account Manager
Brazen
Jill Fritze
Alma Mater: Penn State (B.S.) &
University of Arizona (M.A.)
Passion: Providing professional
development opportunities to
Arizona’s amazing alumni network.
Alma Mater: Saint Michael’s College
Passion: Thinking outside of the
traditional engagement box to reach
their alumnae.
Alma Mater: Bucknell University
Passion: Using technology to help her
alumni career services professionals
reach their engagement initiatives.
3. ● All attendees are in listen-only mode
● No need to takes notes - You will
receive a recording later this week
● Ask questions! The webinar will run 45
minutes, and we’ll save time for
questions at the end
Housekeeping
4. Our Time Today
● Introducing...Chat Events
● Why Chat Events Work
● University Spotlight:
○ University of Arizona
○ Smith College
● Q & A Session
5. Chat
Events
Conversations
that lead
somewhere.
5
Create & Promote
Your Chat Event
via email, social media,
and other channels
Enable
Conversations
Between alumni,
students, experts or
mentors on the day of
your chat event
START ENGAGE!
PRE-EVENT
LIVE EVENT
POST-EVENT
Create Connections
Between your alumni
and the people they
meet in your chat event
6. ENGAGE MORE
ALUMNI
6
PROVIDE MORE
VALUE
● Host more events with
less resources
● Broaden your
geographic reach
● Provide a better
call-to-action
● Collect alumni data and
increase giving
Why Chat Events Work
● Mentoring
● Networking
● Resume Review
● Career Advice
● Job Opportunities
7. “We were thrilled to
discover Brazen. It is a
simple, yet sophisticated,
way for us to expand our
reach to alumni who want
connections.”
Rochelle Reeves
Senior Director of Advancement
IU Kelley School of Business
CUSTOMERS
7
8. Customer Spotlight:
University of Arizona
Alumni Career LabApril 27th, 2017
11AM PT / 2PM ET
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
42,300 students
265,000 alumni
&
1 FTE on alumni career programming
9. 1. Offering valuable digital
career education resources
2. Helping alumni and students
find jobs and meet employers
3. Connecting Wildcats with
each other via networking
and mentoring opportunities
The Alumni Career Lab Focuses On:
10. Our favorite Brazen events
Benefits of virtual career
coaching:
Our Favorite Events
Ask an Expert: 10-Minute Career
Advice
➔ Virtual career coaching
office hours
➔ “A very effective, short and
concise chat about the
specific points I was
concerned about. All
recommendations were
great and useful, including
examples. I was very happy
that you are doing this and
we do not need to go to
campus to attend.”
➔ Scale 1:1 coaching
➔ Reach alumni across the
country and world!
➔ Cross-promote events
➔ It’s easy and fun!
11. Our favorite Brazen events
➔ Demonstrate our value
➔ Built-in audience
➔ Raise awareness of the
Alumni Career Lab
➔ Help fund programs
Our Favorite Events
Benefits of partner events:Events for Our Campus Partners
➔ Virtual career fairs and
student/alumni mentoring
event
➔ “Wow, Susan - that was a great
experience! Everyone we
talked to seemed pleased and
impressed. We can't thank you
enough for your assistance
with this event. We’d love to
do this again next summer.”
12. 12
Fast Stats
Total Chats:
730
Number of Chat Events:
19
Geographic Reach:
Registrants from 38 States and
Washington, D.C.
Fast Stats - University of Arizona
13. Customer Spotlight:
Smith College
April 27th, 2017
11AM PT / 2PM ET
Smith College, Northampton, MA
2,600 students
48,000 alumni
&
1 FTE on alumni career programming
14. • More than 48,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate
degree recipients from all 50 states and more than 120
countries
• All Women’s, Liberal Arts College with deep rooted
traditions
• Leaders across many disciplines: chefs, Pulitzer Prize
winners, political columnists, environmental researchers,
film directors, venture capitalists, physicists, poets,
playwrights, CEOs
• A strong network of thousands of successful women
willing to share inside information about their professions
with both undergraduates and other alumnae
What Makes Smith Alumnae Unique
15. ➔ General Alumnae networking – events that have a broad reach
◆ Rooms designated by career level and open connections
➔ Niche Markets – events that focus on a targeted group
◆ Smith Moms Connect, Tea in the Clouds, Entrepreneurship,
Smith Business Network
➔ Event Specific – events that are surrounding a big event on campus
◆ Women’s Leadership Conference, Volunteer Connections,
Career Specific events
➔ Location/Industry Specific
◆ Broken down by industry or location, career stage
What Makes Smith Alumnae UniqueOur Favorite Events
16. “How instant the connections were, and how it was divided into clear and easy categories
("Arts"). Even after two brief chats I feel better about my job search, yay!“
“It was great to meet alums in different positions and hear
about their experiences!”
“It was quick and efficient. A very personal yet high-speed
way to make quality connections that were also purposeful.”
“I joined an event not in my hometown (I'm looking to relocate.) I got a lot out of each
meeting.”
What Smithies Like Most:
17. Possibilities for future events are ENDLESS
➔ Alumnae survey and Brazen surveys
◆ What do the results show
➔ International
➔ Student/Alumnae
◆ Partnerships with other offices
➔ Mentor/Mentee
➔ Career Coaching
Where do we go next?
