In tough economic times, more alumni are turning to networking PHOTO BY DAN LAMONT Social gatherings offer alumni a chance to not only catch up on personal and professional happenings but also the opportunity to meet other grads. At F.X. McRory’s Spencer Bollen, ’08, greets Lindsay Herbst, ’05, as Sarah Fisher, ’04, looks on. Casual gatherings can double as networking events. 26 | Building Community
Making new connections. Nurturing old friendships. Continuing education. Career development. These are just a few of the benefits of networking. Given the current state of the economy— the staggeringly high unemployment numbers, layoffs sweeping nearly every industry, dwindling employment prospects—the time honored tradition of networking is proving to be a valuable asset for today’s job seekers. Even those fortunate to have jobs are finding networking events a positive forum to explore what’s out there, while brushing up professional and people skills. With an alumni base more than 60,000 strong, <strong>Seattle</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s Office of Alumni Relations, in partnership with Albers School of Business and Economics, Career Services and many other schools and offices on campus, offers a slew of networking opportunities designed to meet the needs and interests of alumni. Professional development— from interviewing techniques and résumé writing tips to job and internship fairs—is a central element in networking programs and activities. Every gathering is different. Some are scheduled events, built around an activity or program such as a speaker series; others are more casual, with the prime objective mingling. The goal is to strike a balance between fun and informative. “It’s nice to get a group of people that are about the same age as you, going through the same types of things,” says Nick Olson, ’98, who has attended networking get-togethers in the past. “It’s easy to relate and develop instant friendships because you have so many connections and things in common.” Hazel Moraleja, ’94, has attended several of the young alumni networking events. “It’s an informal way to connect with people who have the commonality of <strong>Seattle</strong> U,” she says. Opportunities to network are often folded into other events on and off campus. For example, a networking hour typically precedes the alumni breakfast speaker series, and alumni can mingle at receptions prior to certain home and away games and sporting events. “Anytime we have a reception that is tied to an event or program on campus, we consider it an opportunity for networking, and our alumni definitely take advantage of it,” says Leilani Balais, assistant director of Alumni Relations. A program that is giving students and alumni a leg up professionally is the Albers Placement Center. The APC offers the tools for students and alumni to find success in their careers. The center provides assistance to prepare for a job, news on hirings and internships, employment resources available in the community and programs that bring industry leaders to campus. On April 20, the center is co-sponsoring—in partnership with the business school, the Puget Sound Business Journal and <strong>Seattle</strong> <strong>University</strong> Career Services— Competitive Advantage, a networking forum that will address the value and strategies from both the job-search and business perspectives. (Check with Alumni Relations for more information and how to attend.) Another way the university is reaching out to alumni is through what is known as “industry nights,” where graduates in a particular field share their industry knowledge with current students, says Gayatri Eassey, associate director for external relations at Career Services. On April 8, an industry night will put together professionals in communications, public affairs and political science. While not a new concept, this program has taken on a new level of purpose and focus recently, Eassey says. “The inclusion of alumni has increased and the message is about coming together as a community and sharing the resources we have,” she says. “<strong>Seattle</strong> <strong>University</strong> is becoming more of a resource for alumni.” Career Services is responding to the needs of students and alumni—and the current job market—by developing programs and events that not only allow participants to meet prospective t SU Magazine <strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2009</strong> | 27
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