FloridaACE2025

This breakout session will explore how alumni networks can be leveraged to enhance career development for students, focusing on mentorship, internships, job placement, and career transitions. Participants will discuss how institutions can more effectively engage their alumni in supporting students throughout their career journey, from providing mentorship and internships to facilitating job placements and career transitions. Attendees will leave with actionable takeaways for integrating alumni into their career services, improving student outcomes, and fostering long-term alumni-student relationships. This session will provide FloridaACE members with innovative approaches to enhance their institutions' alumni engagement and strengthen career development initiatives for students.

Objectives:
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to leverage alumni networks to support student career development, including mentorship, internships, job placement, and career transitions. By the end, attendees will be equipped with actionable ideas and best practices they can implement at their institutions to strengthen alumni engagement and improve student outcomes.

Building Structured Mentorship Programs: Develop formal alumni mentorship programs where students are paired with alumni based on their career interests and goals. Utilize digital platforms (like LinkedIn, alumni portals, or mentorship apps) to create easier connections.

Creating Internship Pipelines: Engage alumni to help create exclusive internship opportunities, especially for students in fields with limited access to traditional internships. Alumni can act as liaisons between their organizations and the institution’s career services team.

Alumni Referral Networks: Alumni can play a pivotal role in job placement by offering recommendations, making introductions, and opening doors to their own professional networks. Building a system where students can tap into alumni referral networks can enhance job placement efforts.

Specialized Career Transition Support: Alumni who have successfully navigated career changes can provide valuable guidance for students looking to transition into new fields. Universities can set up alumni-led workshops or one-on-one sessions focused on career pivots.