By Julia Stalnaker ----------------- Being in college gives you access to many different resources, and your alumni networks are some of those resources you should be taking advantage of. They can help you practice networking, open doors, and offer guidance through and beyond your college yours. Keep reading for tips to help you leverage these networks. 1. Join, Join, Join A good first step in leveraging your alumni networks is joining any relevant groups. Most colleges have some sort of alumni association (e.g. UO Alumni Association) and some even have associations to connect current students with alumni, like the UO Student Alumni Association. Be sure to look out for online groups as well, such as an alumni LinkedIn Group for your school. Keep in mind that your network isn’t limited to your school’s alumni association, there may be alumni groups for various teams, clubs, or Greek organizations (social, multicultural, professional, etc.). Even if there aren’t official alumni groups, maintaining relationships from these groups can be valuable. If you’ve already graduated, identify all your potential networks and decide which connections to prioritize; if you’re an undergraduate, consider how you can add new networks or strengthen the ones you already have. 2. Listing Networks on Your Resume While you don’t want to list everything you’ve ever done on your resume, noting membership in certain organizations can be advantageous. Of course, if you’ve held positions during your membership those are worth mentioning. But furthermore, indicating membership in organizations with a strong national/regional presence can be an opportunity to connect with potential employers who were part of the same or similar groups. Just be sure to list your membership in the appropriate place: professional experience or activities, depending on your role. 3. Take Advantage of Career Services
You should be utilizing your college’s career services center. Not only can they help you write your cover letter, job search, or prep for an interview, they can also help you connect with alumni as an undergraduate. They may be able to get you in contact with the right alumni, or alumni themselves may be offering information/opportunities through the career center. Remember that this is a resource you can continue to use after graduation. Check out the UO Career Center website, which also has an alumni support page. 4. Attend Networking Events Most schools will host networking events for their alumni (or current students), sometimes through the alumni association which will often have additional events. These can be great opportunities to meet interesting people that you already have something in common with, which will help to build connections even if the event is labeled as ‘networking.’ Try to go to a few every year, or more as you see fit. 5. Reach Out If you don’t know where to start, don’t be afraid to reach out to your school, association, alumni groups, etc. Remember that these people know what you’re going through, whether you’re an overwhelmed undergraduate or a graduate struggling with your job search. There’s already an established sense of community, and they want to help you. If you’re an undergrad finding few opportunities to network with alumni, be proactive and reach out! There are many alumni out there who would love to offer you some guidance, and as long as you’re polite there’s no harm in asking a few questions or taking them for a coffee. If you’re able to snag an informational interview, come prepared and send a thank-you afterward. Don’t necessarily view these conversations as job requests, see them as learning opportunities to take the pressure off and establish a good relationship.
Comments