MAKING CONNECTIONS 2007-08 – A WRAP-UP
Career Chair Greg Hudson ’91 of Houston’s Alumni Chapter sums up the key to an effective Making Connections career networking event best. “Getting a good cross section of alumni, both in experience and fields of work, to attend” these events is crucial to assist alumni and students in enriching their career development opportunities and expanding their professional networking interactions.
In the Fall and during Winter Break, nine Making Connections events, supported by the Offices of Alumni Relations and Career Services, provided an effective system through which career networking and mentoring takes place among alumni and students. The Career Chair in each alumni chapter brought leadership, initiative, and energy to coordinate the promotion and planning of such events and other networking channels.
San Antonio Career Chair James Sanders ’98 hosted a successful career event in September on Trinity’s campus. James emphasized that “this is a once a year networking opportunity alumni and students should not pass up to come and meet the influential and prestigious Trinity grads living in the local community.” With student participation, James summarized the positive impact saying “attendees had the chance to meet tomorrow’s leaders.” Based on feedback, the timing of this event was changed from Spring to Fall so participants could maximize connections they make during this program throughout the year as well as expose them to the many benefits of attending the various events in their hometowns during Winter Break.
The remainder of the career events took place between the Fall and Spring semesters. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mach, Jr., parents of Trinity Trustee Steve Mach ’92, continued their unsurpassed hospitality and generously hosted, once again, the Houston Making Connections which drew more than 120 alumni and students. A surprise visit from Senator John Cornyn ’73 exposed alumni and students to the opportunity to learn from his experiences and perspective after graduating from Trinity.
For the fourth consecutive year, New York and Chicago alumni chapters held networking events. Chicago Career Chair Kate Monkus ’91 and Chapter President Erin Baker ’99 coordinated the event. Erin commented that “alumni and current students…had a chance to see old friends, make new introductions, and marvel at the enormous smoker that turns out Chicago's best new BBQ at Willie Wagner’s Honky Tonk BBQ!” New York Career Chair Candice Comeaux ’01 reported that "alumni and current students….explored career connections….and our chapter was especially excited to welcome two of Trinity's newest alumni to the area.” Matt Rullo ’08 attended the event and commented that "it's a great way to meet young alumni working all over the country."
The Phoenix Alumni Chapter hosted its third consecutive networking event. John Antioco ’94, the Arizona Career Chair, coordinated a career gathering at the Ancala Country Club. The special opportunity allowed students and alumni to foster their business and career development goals by meeting with each other in the area.
Austin Career Chair Jeannie Ricketts ’90 was very pleased that this year’s event was again hosted in the charming home of Aimee Ash ’93. According to Jeannie, “a diverse group of Trinity alumni, including recent graduates, and current students… listened to Trinity staffers explain what is new at Trinity. Guests discussed the careers they have lead since graduation, including talk of recent promotions and aspirations for graduate school and new jobs.”
Dallas Career Chair Frances Cruz ’90 hosted a lovely gathering at the law office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (courtesy of Scott Barnard ’94, Dallas Alumni Chapter – Vice President). Cruz summed up the event saying that “the event...was a great success and well attended by local alumni and students. Connections were made by several students and alumni with alumni from across a wide range of careers within the Dallas Metroplex. The event was a wonderful opportunity to reach out to students and recent grads, everyone really."
The newly formed Atlanta Alumni Chapter held its first career networking event graciously hosted at the home of The Honorable Melvin Westmoreland and Sally Westmoreland ’76. The event proved very successful and according to Sally, “everyone had an opportunity to network with ease…the students were well-prepared and very professional in their approach to the networking opportunity” with alumni. Sally was quick to point out that, “everyone was proud to be an ongoing part of the excellence of Trinity.”
For the second year, New England Career Chair Paul Fleck ’92 penned a letter via email to current students from the area to offer career assistance. Paul commented that “since not many students are from the New England area, he can provide a much more tailored networking approach that corresponds to the students’ individual interests by arranging one-on-one meetings between students and individual alumni who share similar career interests.”
Dr. Mary Kay Cooper, Director of Alumni Relations, congratulated each of the participating alumni chapter cities saying, “I can’t say, ‘thank you,’ enough to our great hosts, Career Chairs, and event coordinators.”
Dr. Brian Hirsch, Director of Career Services, offers similar kudos to alumni and students who attended the networking events. “The Making Connections programs provide unique opportunities for students to gain valuable insights from alumni with regard to their occupational and career goals. Alumni are really providing a vital service by sharing their knowledge and expertise and by making themselves available to our students. The ‘real life’ feedback students gain from the networking experience cannot be duplicated in the classroom and is a critical step in formulating and achieving career goals and provides an entry point into the wider world of work beyond the campus.”
Elizabeth Ford ’93, ’96, Alumni Volunteer Coordinator, Crystal Benavides ’05, Young Alumni and Student Programs Coordinator, and Twyla Hough, Career Advisor, offer staff assistance to alumni chapters interested in hosting Making Connections and career networking events. Chapter events like Making Connections, together with career resources and tools, combine to further Trinity's Career Network. The Career Network sets the stage to strengthen alumni and student marketability in the business world by improving their networking base. To learn more about the Career Network and how you can become a member, please go to http://www.trinity.edu/departments/alumni_relations/career_network/enroll.html.