What is an alumni network? If you have gone through college or any higher learning institution, you must be aware of the term ‘alumni network.’ Most educational institutions have an alumni network.
Whether formal or otherwise, such organizations bring together individuals to perform a wide range of activities. Among them are community management, building business connections, organizing reunions, and serving as a shining example of people associated with a certain institution. They also play a significant role in bringing together old classmates long after their time at a given institution.
How Do You Become Part of the Alumni Network?
More often than not, these groups are led by alumni coordinators. These are people who have devoted their time to help set up networking events that bring former students together. Through such workshops, you can link up with your old classmates and stay abreast of what is going on in other parts of the world.
For you to get involved, there are tasks you need to fulfill. One of them is to look for your former schoolmates’ contacts and keep in touch with them. You are also required to update your contact details in an alumni newsletter and sign up to receive updates on what the group is doing.
Another way is through connecting with your former friends over social media platforms such as LinkedIn and others. Reaching out to your fellow alums via email is indeed a great step in engaging them from time to time.
How Do You Benefit?
Below are four ways you can benefit from an Alumni Network:
1.Through Support System
If your alumni network is well engaged, you stand a chance to benefit more from your fellow graduates’ skills and experience. These former college-mates can support you and your former institution in many different ways.
An informed and engaged alumni can be your most loyal supporter and reliable ambassador to your previous college. This organization can offer invaluable marketing as well as promotion across its personal and professional network.
2.Through Offering Expertise
Experienced and talented alumni will most likely act as the best source of information in different fields. They usually have a wealth of skills and experience to share with you and current students through talks and meets.
In some cases, they can go the extra mile to offer practical support such as work placements and helping each other to launch their careers. This follows the notion that the most successful alumni are always ready and willing to give back to their former university or fellow alumni members who are not yet successful.
3.Through Assistance in Employability
Your alumni network can provide you with real-life benefits. One of these benefits is assistance through employability by spending their valuable time to provide career support to other community members. This simple step enhances your experience and gives you that competitive edge over others in the current tough job market.
Your alumni network is one of the best sources of job placement opportunities for graduates and undergraduates alike. This association has the potential to get you placed at one of their organizations as you advance your skills and experience in your career.
4.Through Mentorship and Scholarship
Alumni networks play a crucial role in voluntary programs such as mentoring students and other alums in their respective areas of expertise. Besides, they actively contribute toward awarding scholarships to needy students. They do so by constantly keeping in touch with students in their former educational institutions and sharing their expertise and relevant practices in different endeavors.
Leveraging the alumni network and community, in particular, is a win-win for your former institution and you as an alumnus. This is because most of them are ready to reinvest in their alma-mater to show their affinity and gratitude towards the institution.
