Spring 2009 - Seattle University

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,
Seattle University’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 Seattle 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 Seattle University 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. “Seattle University 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
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