Figuring out the next step in your career journey is a big task—but you don’t have to do it alone. It is helpful to hear about the experiences of others who work in your field, and it’s even better when those perspectives come from people who stood in your shoes…and on the same campus!
Alumni from your school are experts in their fields, and your mutual experience makes it easier to connect with them. It’s predicted that up to 60% of jobs are found through personal connections. Whether you are searching for a job or hoping to learn more about an industry, you should tap into your school’s alumni network as a resource for your career journey.
How to Connect with Alumni
LinkedIn is the leading online platform for professional networking with more than one billion active users. The platform is optimized for connecting with other professionals, from friends and family to CEOs and thought leaders.
LinkedIn makes finding alumni from your school very simple. Use the Search tool to explore a keyword or job title (e.g. “marketing” or “sales manager”). Then, filter the results to show only graduates from your school. Additionally, if you click on a company’s LinkedIn page or job posting, it will show you if any school alumni work there and share their profiles to connect.
Your school’s LinkedIn page is also a great way to find alumni. Many school pages have an Alumni tab that shows data from all LinkedIn users who have the school listed on their profiles. At a glance you can see where alumni work and live, what they studied in school and what key skills they possess. Likewise, you can narrow the results by searching for keywords, companies and graduation years. Visit your school page and try searching for alumni in Metro Jacksonville!
EVENTS
Another great way to meet alumni is to volunteer at school events. Reach out to your school’s alumni center to see if there are opportunities to serve at a scholarship dinner or class reunion. If your school has sporting events, see if you are able to be a student host for season ticket holders, and be sure to swing by the alumni tailgate before the game. Volunteering your free time leaves a positive impression on the alumni who attend the event, and it is a great avenue to start a conversation and spark a connection.
SCHOOL RESOURCES
Beyond hosting events for alumni, your school’s alumni center frequently keeps in touch with graduates and provides opportunities for them to give back. Set up a meeting with a team member to learn about connecting with alumni in their network.
Additionally, your school’s career center may have programs and platforms that will help you find alumni in your field. Platforms such as Handshake allow students to directly contact alumni who want to connect with students and help them grow.
How Alumni Can Help You
MENTORSHIP
Mentors are extremely beneficial as you are in school and entering the workforce. Mentors can guide you as you choose courses for the next semester, share important skills to learn and provide advice on finding a job. Having an alum as a mentor gives you the unique advantage of hearing directly from someone who understands your circumstances and environment. As you reach out to alumni to learn about their career experiences, it’s great to hear from a range of people—from entry-level employees to seasoned veterans. Develop a relationship with these connections through continued conversations, and choose a mentor who has relevant experience and can be a wise sounding board.
JOB SEARCH
Alumni are proud of their education, and they know that your school excels in creating great future employees. Since more than half of jobs are found through personal connections, building a professional network should be a priority. Many alumni are happy to connect you with the hiring manager at their company. If their companies do not have any open positions at the time, the alumni may be willing to review your resume and cover letter or do a mock interview. Some may even offer to serve as references during your job search.
Several school alumni would be thrilled to help you grow towards a thriving career if you are proactive about establishing connections with them. All it takes is for you to reach out and take the first step. Send a personalized message on LinkedIn. Start a conversation at an alumni event. Ask a trusted connection to become your mentor.
And as you begin establishing connections and new relationships, don’t forget about the power of a thank-you note! Always send one after meeting with an alumni, receiving guidance from them or being introduced to a job prospect through them. You may send these through email or LinkedIn, but their impact is especially powerful if you mail a handwritten note. Regardless of if your note is print or digital, a thank-you note will help you stand out and position you for future success.
Alumni are a fantastic resource for your career journey, so take advantage of the opportunities in front of you. As you learn from alumni and work towards your future, Earn Up is here to provide information on all of Northeast Florida’s career pathways and help point you in the right direction.
