Whether it’s finding the right internship, getting answers to career-related questions or looking for that first (or second) job, sometimes it takes having the right connections. Longwood’s new Professional Networks area within Alumni and Career Services wants to help with that.
Launched in January, Professional Networks guides connection-ready students to the right people, opportunities and experiences within Longwood’s alumni network.
“We want to go beyond the internship experience,” said Macrae Hammond ’14, M.S. ’15, director of professional networks. “We want students to create lifelong professional partnerships with fellow Lancers.” (See the 'New Faces, New Responsibilities' article to meet Professional Networks staff.) Professional Networks is a natural extension of the merger in 2015 of what were then separate university offices focused on alumni relations and career services. When the two areas joined forces, career coaching was expanded to include alumni as well as students. Creating more internship opportunities was next on the list, and staff in Professional Networks do just that—and more.
“Professional Networks serves as a catalyst for building connections between students and alumni around shared career interests and aspirations,” said Hammond. “Rather than hosting industry-based networking events, we seek to tailor events around six role-based professional circles to better match students with professionals in the same career fields.”
When students join a circle, they gain a lifetime membership to a network of Lancers in the same field. Benefits include exclusive access to professional development opportunities; regional and digital networking events; and regular newsletters featuring opportunities, highlights, events and news from other like-minded professionals.
Some students already are seeing the benefits. During winter break, Longwood piloted a work shadow program that involved 12 students and alumni in a variety of fields. Plans are in place to expand the partnership and offer it annually. A kickoff party during Mega Reunion in May will serve as the launch of Professional Circles events.
“Our intention is for this new structure to have a lasting impact on the way current and future Lancers think about their own professional development, their available resources and their lifelong connection to the university,” Hammond said. To learn more about Professional Networks or to join a circle, visit longwood.edu/professionalnetworks.
6 NEW PROFESSIONAL CIRCLES
link alumni and students in similar career fields
• Business Administration, Finance and Accounting
• Information Technology and Security
• Marketing, Communications and Media
• Science, Math and Health Services
• Education and Human Services
• Human Resources
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