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Details
In this episode:
0:00 - Introduction
0:11 – Intro to Career Connections
0:57 – Guaranteed coffee chats
2:03 – Diverse alumni
3:11 – How to access
4:28 – Strategy for chats
5:24 – Summary
Transcript
Kate: Welcome to the Career Management Podcast, where we bring you stories and strategies from students, special guests and the Career Management team. Make yourself comfortable and let's get started.
One of the biggest mistakes that Ivey students make in networking is not taking advantage of the Career Connections program. Career Connections guarantees students three coffee chats with Ivey alumni each month, and we are talking today with Amanda to learn more about Career Connections program. Amanda, what's your elevator pitch for Career Connections?
Amanda: Just like the name says, it's career connections, so think of it as a mentorship and a networking program all combined into one. So basically what the program does is it gives students direct access to the people who have walked your path before, our incredible alumni through the network, who are willing and able to give back in this really easy, flexible way by partnering with current students to share their insights and advice.
K: And one of the things that makes it different from connecting on LinkedIn or the Ivey Alumni Directory; these are people who have proactively said we want to coffee chat. You are guaranteed those people. These are folks who are in a variety of industries, a variety of roles, and from a variety of programs. 85% of students say connecting with an alumni is the single most impactful part of their journey.
A: And I think the best part about this program is the flexibility. It's really designed for students to meet you where you're at, and so you can make it whatever you want. Knowing that you've got alumni who are ready to connect with you, maybe you're looking for them to share in their experience or expertise in a particular industry. Maybe you're looking to understand more about trends in an industry that you're thinking about pursuing. Maybe you're looking for some additional support for interview prep, whether that's behavioral or technical, and you connect with somebody. Maybe you're looking to build your network. And so, you know, you connect with somebody and you say, I'm really interested in fintech, but I can't get a lot of traction. Do you have anybody you might recommend who could tell me about X, Y, or Z? I really just think it helps students think through all the aspects of recruiting.
K: And one of the best things that you've touched on is that there's just a variety of different alumni. They're representing different industries. They're coming from different geographic locations. So if you've ever thought about, you know, moving to BC or going to work abroad at some point, this is a great opportunity for you to connect with alumni who have been in your shoes. You will find in Career Connections the filters along the side for what kind of support you're looking for, the program, the industry, all these different pieces that you can tailor to yourself. And Amanda, one question I get is, you know, "if I'm an HBA student, do I have to target HBAs?" or "if I'm an MSc, can I only talk to MSc students?"
A: I mean, you're part of the alumni network. You're going to come across in all different facets of your life. You know, whether you're an HBA, you're going to meet MBAs. If you're an MSc, you're going to meet HBAs. And so really the sky's the limit. You can connect with whoever matches what it is you're looking to get out of the program.
K: And I would also add in MBAs reaching out to HBAs. We have HBAs in so many different places. And so don't let the program stop you from reaching out to someone. Everyone is a part of the Ivey Alumni network. You might be wondering, how does this all work? How does one get access? Where do these alumni come from? Amanda, walk us through.
A: Yeah, absolutely. So we are constantly in touch with alumni and we're inviting them to join this program. So basically they will create a profile just like you do as a student in 12Twenty. They choose how many students they're open to connecting with, how often, the kind of profiles they might want to connect with, and some of the ways that they might be able to support you. And all of that is housed in a database. From there, students get access to that database. And like you touched on, there's all of these filters and search tools that you can use to find alumni who match your interests or who are able to support you with the type of mentorship or networking that you're looking for. Once that happens, you make your request. It's sent to the Career Management team, and we actually do the introduction for you. So there's no cold outreach. There's no need for you to take that action. We give you a warm introduction, and from there you set up a chat based on your availability and the alumni availability.
K: And one thing is sometimes when people are on Career Connections, they'll see the person, the information, they'll see the LinkedIn button, but then they'll also see request. Sometimes people go in to look at the LinkedIn and then message through LinkedIn. That's not how it works. Be sure to come back to Career Connections to hit, you know, request connection or whatever it is. That's the part that's done through Career Management there.
A: The earlier you start having these conversations, the more opportunities you're giving yourself and the more value that you will get from that network. And just like any networking opportunity, be sure to come prepared. Do a bit of research on the person and their work. Have a clear rationale for why you reached out to them, instead of the 20 or 500 other alumni that are on the system. These alumni are giving their time because they want to help; make it as easy for them to help you as possible by having a clear rationale and some clear questions for yourself. And every conversation opens up a door. Be open to opportunities. You won't always know what a conversation will bring. So maintain that openness, that flexibility and adaptability.
K: Absolutely. I mean, there's 500 alumni currently in the Career Connections program. So you've got all of these people at your fingertips ready to help you and start networking and exploring.
A: Absolutely. So how you access Career Connections is you go into your Ivey LEARN community and when you scroll down, there are going to be some icons that you can choose from. In the networking icon, you're going to see a couple of different options. Again, Ivey's LinkedIn page, the Ivey Alumni Directory; Career Connections is where you're looking for. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email careermanagement@ivey.ca. Come and talk to a career coach, and we're here to make this process as seamless as possible.
Narrator: Thank you for listening. If you're ready for the next step, check out another episode. Book a one on one coaching session via 12Twenty, or get connected with a student career mentor through your LEARN community. No matter what's next, you've got this. Take good care.