COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCE S

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION:

Social Sciences Student-Alumni Career
Networking Night 2014
In September 2012, DeVry Universitys Career Advisory Board published a research
report, Effectively Counseling Graduating Students, based on a survey conducted by the
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). The survey found that
although most students may be well-prepared to succeed in their first full-time job, many
lack the skills and understanding on how to effectiv ely find and get that first job. As
educators, it is imperative that we provide opportunities that will facilitate a successful
transition from college to career for our students.

Overview of Event

Purpose & Goals

The Social Sciences Student-Alumni Career

Networking Night is set to take place during the
evening of February 25, 2014 in the HUB
Lyceum. The event will begin with an alumnionly reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the
student-alumni networking segment from 6:30
p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This event serves as a professional development

opportunity for students working toward a social
science degree. It is designed to increase students
knowledge on various career fields, prepare them for
the job search by exposing them to the process of
networking, and to reaffirm the importance and value
of a UW social science degree.

Alumni will be divided by industry (not major)

into several panels across the room, and
students are free to move toward their interest
areas to start a conversation. Water and snacks
will be provided for students if they need to
take a break to refuel. Divisional Dean Judy
Howard will kick-off the evening with remarks.

Departments may find value in being able to reconnect

with their alumni who have had extraordinary student
experiences. Learning about past experiences may be
very beneficial in helping transform the undergraduate
experience moving forward.

Only alumni who graduated from a social

science department will be invited to
participate in this event.

This also creates an opportunity for Advancement staff

to identify, engage, and cultivate successful alumni that
could eventually lead to them becoming a major gift
prospect, in addition to providing the unique experience
of student interaction for many who are already donors.

How your department can participate

Departments are responsible for:
Finding interested students to attendlimited to 20-25
students per department.
Preparing students for networking (The Career Center offers
free workshops).
Sharing a small portion of the cost (~$100 per department).

To learn more about how your

department can be a part of
this event, please contact
Thaddeus Teo, Advancement
Assistant for the Social
Sciences, at 206.616.1157 or
thadteo@uw.edu

Dear Social Science Alumni,

Thank you for your interest in participating in the upcoming Career Night on February 25th. This is
truly an amazing opportunity for alumni to return to campus and provide current social science
students with insight and advice on navigating the transition from college to career. Each one of our
alumni have experiences that are unique, interesting, and valuable to share; and students will be
coming enthusiastic to learn while using this opportunity to sharpen their professional networking
skills.
Despite an increasing number of students and parents questioning the value of a college degree,
there is overwhelming evidence from research that shows that a four-year degree does in fact pay
off and I know that our alumni can attest to that. For more information on where the UW stands in
this national debate, please see the recently released provost report Leading Change in Public Higher
Education.
Once again, thank you for supporting the University of Washington, the College of Arts & Sciences,
and our students. We look forward to seeing you on the 25th, but in the meantime, please feel free to
contact me at 206-616-1157 or via email at thadteo@uw.edu if you have any questions or if you are
unable to make it. I will send out a reminder email with directions and parking information 4 days
before the event.

Best wishes,
Thaddeus Teo 12

NetWORK: Social Sciences Student-Alumni Career Night

Tuesday, February 25, 2014
5:30-8:00 pm
HUB Lyceum
NetWORK: Social Sciences Student-Alumni Career Night is an annual event designed to assist students in their
career development. Throughout the evening, alumni will offer advice about career fields, classes, graduate
school, internships, and other experiences that students with a degree in the Social Sciences can pursue after
graduation. Students enjoy hearing alumni success stories and benefit from practicing their networking skills in a
dynamic setting.

5:30 p.m. Alumni-only pre-reception in the HUB Lyceum Foyer: Mingle with fellow Social Sciences
alumni prior to the student event. Heavy hors doeuvres and wine will be served.

6:30 p.m. NetWORK reception: Meet with interested students and answer their questions about academic,
career, and extracurricular pursuits. Alumni will be stationed at tables throughout the HUB Lyceum to facilitate
student-alumni interaction.

Thaddeus Teo <thaddeus.teo@gmail.com>

NetWORK RSVP Confirmation

1 message
University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences <asinfo@uw.edu>
Reply-To: University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences <advhelp@uw.edu>
To: thaddeus.teo@gmail.com

Fri, Feb 7, 2014 at 4:18 PM

A&S Home Page

Dear Thad T,
Thank you for registering forNetWORK: Social Sciences Student-Alumni Career Night. We
will have the name you provided on the registration screen or our guest list. We look forward
to seeing you on Tuesday, February 25 th .
Questions? Please contact Thaddeus Teo atthadteo@uw.edu.
Not sure where to start? Check out our tips for networking!
Attend the Networking for Shy People (& Everyone!) workshop hosted by
The Career Center. This free workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Feb 20 th ,
3:30PM 4:30PM, in Mary Gates Hall 134. Click here for more information.
Just be yourself. Prepared to offer some informationabout your interests, talents,
skills, accomplishments, and/or goals. It is easier for alumni to help you if they have a
sense of who you are and where youre headed.
Think about what you want to discuss with alumni. Prepare a list of
questions prior to the program, and make sure you are genuinely interested in hearing
their responses. Informational interview content and questions can also be a great
source for ideas.
Research some career fields of interestso you can focus on talking to alumni
with relevant backgrounds. Even if you dont have a clear career goal, it is important
to share your skills and successes in your target fields.
Its better to establish a personal connection before asking for
concrete career experience.Cultivate a relationship by looking for a shared
interest, club, sport, or contact. Asking about the most rewarding aspect of their
college experience is a great way to get to know them while learning information that
helps you as well.
Bring business cards if you have one and create one if you dont.As a
student, your card might contain a title such as aspiring ________ professional along
with your contact info and a link to your LinkedIn profile or online resume.
If you make a great connection with alumni, ask if you could meet again for

an informational interview or a job shadow.

Follow up after the event with contacts that you make.Send an email
thanking them for any specific advice and include a reminder of who you are by
sharing your LinkedIn page. This follow-up communication is an important step in
establishing networks, and you may also ask for suggestions of other professionals to
contact given your interests and career goals.
Check out this webinar created by the Career Center to learn more about
professional development.

Event Name:NetWORK: Social Sciences Student-Alumni Career Night

Date & Time:Tuesday, February 25, 20146:00 PM
Duration:

2 hours, 0 minutes

Location:

Hub Lyceum

Visit this event's page.

Questions

Responses

1)

Your major

Bio

2)

Your expected graduation year

User Provided No Response

3)

What industry would you like to work

in?

User Provided No Response

1 guest or guests attending

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NETWORKING
WITH ALUMNI
TIPS FOR NETWORKING WITH ALUMNI
1. For formal alumni networking events, devise a strategy. Review the Guest List and identify a few people you
would like to talk to.
2. Think ahead of time about what you want to discuss with them.
Prepare some questions for them ahead of time and be prepared to tell them about yourself.
Practice talking about yourself in this way (see example).
3. When it's your turn, shake hands, make eye contact, and say your name. Let them introduce themselves
to you.
4. Have a back-and-forth conversation. Ask about their background, job, career path(s), and interests.
5. Listen attentively. Be positive, friendly, and confident. Good eye contact and a good attitude go a long way.
6. Share some information about yourself (skills, field of study, career interests/goals, experience).
7. Ask for career advice. Don't ask for a job or internship directly; just ask for advice.
8. Keep potentially controversial and/or overly personal comments to yourself.
9. Avoid monopolizing. Do introduce yourself and ask your questions, but remember that other students
would like to have their chance to talk with each person, too.
10. Before moving on, thank them. Ask if you may follow up with them and (if they say yes) request their
contact information.
11. Send a thank-you note/email within 24 hours.
12. Stay in touch with them from time to time. Let them know if/when you have taken their advice, improved
your qualifications, gotten an internship or job, or found an article they might be interested in.

EXAMPLE: STUDENT-ALUMNI NETWORKING INTERACTION

Student:
Alum:
Student:
Alum:
Student:

Hi. Thank you so much for coming to our networking event! Im [your name].
[Introduces himself/herself and you probably shake hands]
It's so nice to meet you! What is your work like at [wherever they work]?
[Responds]
How did you get into this line of work? Was this your first position after you graduated?
[If not: What other positions have you had?]
Alum:
[Responds to your question]
Student: Do you feel that your studies at UW contributed to your success? Were there any
particular experiences you had as an undergrad that were especially helpful for your
career?
Alum:
[Responds]
Student: That's very interesting [or impressive or inspirational]! I'm interested in [pick something
related to the alumni's work]. Could you give me any advice for steps I can take toward
this goal?
Alum:
[Responds]
Student: That's great advice. Thank you! May I stay in touch with you? Could I have your
business card or get your contact information?

SAMPLE QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ASK ALUMNI:

What kind of job did you get when you first graduated?
Are there any particular experiences you had as an undergrad that were especially helpful for your
career?
How did you get to the position you're in today?
[If the alum had the same or similar major that you have): Did you ever feel that some employers
didn't understand the value of your major? How did you handle that kind of situation?
What advice could you give someone like me -- a (year in school) (major) who would like to break
into the [whatever their field is]?
[Name some of your skills/strengths -- then ask:] What kinds of opportunities does your field have
for someone with my background and skills? [Don't ask for a job or internship.]
Are there particular skills, strengths, or experiences that are needed to qualify for your type of
work?
What are some steps I can take now to make myself a strong candidate in the future?
Thank you so much! May I stay in touch with you? Could I have your business card?

WHAT ARE SOME QUESTIONS YOU WANT TO ASK A UW ALUM?

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WRITE A DRAFT OF HOW YOU MIGHT INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO A UW ALUM:

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Overall Alumni Statistics

Total Count: 37
Women: 14
Alumni of Color: 6
Alumni Majors
American Ethnic Studies: 1
American Indian Studies: 0
Anthropology: 1
Communication: 5
Economics: 4
Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies: 1
Geography: 2
History: 2
International Studies: 9
Law, Societies, and Justice: 2
Philosophy: 2
Political Science: 6
Sociology: 1
Industry
Law: 7
Marketing & Communications: 5
Tech: 2
Medicine/Healthcare: 5
Education: 1
Government/Nonprofit: 3
Finance: 2
Business: 9

Majors and Minors

Anthropology: 4
Communications: 6
Economics: 11
History: 2
International Studies: 7
LSJ: 2
Philosophy: 2
Political Science: 11
Sociology: 2
Global Health: 3
Psychology: 2
Math: 1
Community Environmental Planning: 1
Early Childhood and Family Studies: 1
English Literature: 1
Education, Learning and Society: 1
Finance and Accounting: 1
Social Work: 1

Graduation Year
2014: 23
2015: 12
2016: 3
2017: 1