Alumni Networking
Whether you are beginning your job search, investigating careers and organizations, or seeking information about internships, Carleton alumni serve as excellent research resources, providing you approach them in a professional manner. With the advent of the online alumni directory, informational interviews can easily be arranged and executed, providing you with a valuble view of your potential profession.
Although contacting alumni may seem daunting, be assured that most are definitely willing to offer their knowledge and advice.
Benefits of networking include:
- Increased insight into a career field, organization, or specific job
- Awareness of available internship and summer job opportunities
- Reinforced assessment of your interests and needs
- Greater confidence in job and internship interview situations
- Industry contacts
If correctly utilized, alumni contacts can help you build a powerful career network, which is vital today as two-thirds of the workforce secure jobs through personal contacts. To enhance your alumni networking experience, read through the Career Center's pages on the networking process, questions to ask alums, and etiquette tips, including the following:
- View an email as you would a cover letter; it’s a professional contact
- Check spelling and grammar
- Check alumni gender so you know whether to say Mr. or Ms.
- Choose a professional tone rather than informality
- Always follow-up to let the alum know what has happened