Alumni Networking over Break
Opportunities abound for students to job shadow and network with SU grads around the country over break
The semester is quickly coming to a close. But before you step off campus for a well-deserved break, take the time to add one more important date to your summer calendar.
The College of Arts & Sciences is proud to have numerous alumni agree to open their worksites throughout the month of June for job shadows, informational interviews or coffee chats.
These one-day opportunities, open to all regardless of class year or major, connect former students with current students in order to share valuable insights into potential career paths after graduation.
Launched over this past winter break as a pilot, the program now boasts more than 400 Orange alumni whom have currently volunteered to be matched up with students over the summer break for a one-day job shadow placement, or to casually meet for coffee. These exceptional opportunities exist all across the country from Syracuse to Los Angeles.
More information about about these summer networking opportunities can be viewed here.
There is no fee to participate in the program; however, you must have housing and transportation in the location listed. No reimbursement will be given. Additionally, some informational interviews will have the option to be conducted over the phone or through Skype - so you do not necessarily need to be in the location listed.
Sue Casson, director of career development and services in the College of Arts in Sciences, says these brief, welcoming experiences with Syracuse University alumni can be invaluable for current students.
A&S students reflect on their 2016 Spring Break job shadow opportunities.
“Participating in Job shadows and informational interviews are smart ways for students to learn and seek advice on their career interests, the industry, and the corporate culture of a potential future workplace,” says Casson. “In todays job market, it’s vital for the student to start to build and expand their professional network as early as possible.”
Mitchell McCall ’18, a sociology major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship, seized the chance to spend part of his winter break with alumni at the Bozzuto Group; a real estate company just outside of Washington, D.C.
“I knew I had a little bit of interest in real estate, but I wasn't really sure; and this was kind of the opportunity for me to really validate what I wanted to do,” explained McCall. “It eventually led to a summer internship this year, which was great.”
Kaileigh Woodruff ’17, a sociology and advertising major originally from Lake Placid, says her job shadow allowed her to make connections in an area she had not yet explored.
“They were all in our shoes at one point, and they understand what the purpose of job shadows is,” says Woodruff, who took advantage of a job shadow opportunity at New York advertising firm, Droga 5, this past spring. “They want to help you, just like they would have liked to have been helped in the past.”
For more information, contact Sue Casson, director of career development and services at 315.443.3150 or smcasson@syr.edu.