It’s that time of year again: college football bowl game season.
What a great time to connect (or reconnect) with your fellow college alumni.
Most universities and colleges have alumni association chapters in many cities throughout the country. Many of them are large groups that hold many different kinds of programs and events for their alumni in the area.
For example, the University of Michigan has one of its largest chapters outside the state of Michigan in Dallas, Texas. And, so I’ve heard, it is quite prestigious to hold an officer position on that local board.
There are a number of reasons these groups exist:
- Fundraising. Another outlet to collect cash to run the association and help the scholarship funds.
- Fellowship. Meeting and mixing with fellow alumni is a good way to show the value of a degree from the school to alumni.
- Showcase graduated talent. This is a good thing for incoming students to know and hear about–successful alumni.
The value-add of connecting with your fellow alums comes in many ways. For example, my own alumni association has connected me with old friends, the CEO of one of the largest corporations based in Dallas and allowed me to network into an interview situation.
Again, it is knowing your audience, finding common ground and looking at the value you can provide to one another. That and being able to every once and a while to Bear Down and quaff a brewski while watching a game together.
When was the last time you connected with your fellow alumni?
Relentless
