Career Networking Speeds Up!

Move over Speed Dating. We are trying Speed Networking now!

On January 28, members of the E&H Alumni Board joined with a handful of current E&H students to try out our first attempt at “speed networking.”  The idea is much like speed dating, but no one goes out for a candle-lit dinner afterwards.

A dozen alumni divided up to as many stations, and students were sent individually to each station.  Once alumni and students were paired up one-on-one the timer started and each duo had 3 minutes to chat. Alumni shared a bit about their own career paths, and students talked about their dreams and goals.  After three minutes, a bell rang and students rotated so they could talk with a different alumnus/alumna.

The goal was not really about looking for specific job openings.  It was a great chance for students to get experience talking in a reception-style setting, and they got some great advice from alumni regarding handshakes, eye-contact and conversation skills.  Students also had an opportunity to see some of the interesting paths chosen by alumni.  Among our alumni participants were an engineer, an attorney, a pastor, a public relations executive, an entrepreneur, a technology wizard, financial officers, and scientists. 

While most alums were in the room for the event, one grad joined us by conference phone from Washington DC, and another grad joined us from San Francisco via Skype.

Alumni were very impressed with the caliber of students they met and thoroughly enjoyed the chance to interact with current students.  Students expressed a great deal of excitement for the chance to make connections with such an impressive array of alumni.  Business cards were shared and numbers were exchanged, and after the event students admitted to Googling represented companies in order to get more information and search for job openings.

All involved look forward to seeing the event grow. If you have an interest in being involved next time, contact the E&H Alumni Office:  alumni@ehc.edu