Whether it’s to gain information, develop skills, obtain a job or internship, or build professional relationships, connecting with employers and alumni can be a helpful part of your career journey. Part of joining your Career Community at Stanford includes connecting with both employers and alumni in a number of different ways.
How to Connect with Alumni
One of the most effective ways to connect with alumni is to find alumni from your undergraduate or graduate alma mater and see what they pursued after graduating whether in acacemia or industry. Here are some ways to identify and connect with alumni:
- Check out your alma mater's alumni association website or use the LinkedIn Find Alumnitool.
- Utilize academic focused sites, such as academia.edu
- Establish a professional relationship with a Stanford alumnus through BEAM’s Stanford Alumni Mentoring program
- Identify Stanford alumni in your field of interest in the Stanford Alumni Directory (PhDs only)
Informational Interviewing
Informational interviewing is an opportunity to learn about specific occupations, industries, and companies by interviewing professionals about their experience. The goal is not employment, but rather to get an insider’s perspective on what it’s really like to work in a particular field. It can lead to more academic & professional connections and provide you with an edge when it comes to understanding academia and alternatives to the academy whether industry, consulting, non-profits, foundations, or other fields. Read more about how to conduct an informational interview.
How to Connect with Employers
In-person events such as BEAM meetups, career fairs, and company visits can help you make connections early and often, whether your interests are focused on academic options or options outside of the academy. Be sure to check the events section of Handshake to learn about upcoming events. If you are interested in industry options, you can follow specific employers’ activity and stay up-to-date on opportunities via Handshake. Many employers also reserve space at BEAM to conduct interviews. Find out which employers are scheduled to conduct interviews along with position and application details in Handshake.
