With alumni networking, similar to other networking, it is what you put in that you will get back. To have the most success with alumni networking, one shoul be visible and be seen as a helpful resource for other alumni. A person who volunteers to speak regarding their expertise at alumni events or to help organize programs will become known to other alumni. When that person needs help, they are likely to hear back from other alumni as opposed to someone no one else has heard from.
There are many different ways to connect with alumni:
In person events- During cocktail hours and dinner portions of the event, you have the chance to speak to many different people and share your experiences. If one can be a guest speaker at the event, people will come over afterwards and it will be a good opportunity to network.
Alumni email groups- An example would be the Big Red Group for Cornell alumni. People post on these groups all of the time looking for advice, suggestions or help. Respond to these postings regularly in order to get help when you need it.
Facebook group- In most cases, alumni office employees are the only ones who can post on the group wall but it will allow you to stay up to date on information and also see who the other members are. Many members will list their profession in their profile and are open to speaking to other alumni.
Linkedin.com- There are dedicated alumni groups on linkedin in order to connect with fellow alumni as well as the ability to search profiles that list your school with a keyword search. If you do not know a particular person of interest, it is possible another former classmate would be connected to them and help to facilitate a connection.
Chance meetings- When you wear the colors of your University/College, people who also went there will come over no matter the circumstance- airport, wedding, sporting event. Once you have an ‘in’ to begin a conversation, professional networking could occur.
The value of an alumni network is how closely other alumni connect to the school. If someone had a positive experience, they are more likely to want to help fellow alumni than if someone had a negative experience.
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Education. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Education. Tampilkan semua postingan
Kamis, 27 Januari 2011
Rabu, 26 Januari 2011
Going back to school when you have a family
As education could be a long road, the adult student has to be prepared to cover their expenses during their time of study. It could necessitate obtaining part time employment when they are not working, a spouse going back to work, taking on extra hours at a current job or even cutting out some unnecessary expenses.
Returning to formal education can be a challenge for one who has not been in the classroom for several years. They must get used to the routines of being in the classroom, budget time for homework and studying for tests. Their families have to allow them quiet time to study and the student has to make sure they are not taking on too many hours at work.
In assisting many adult learners in the past, they have struggled to balance family obligations and the need to earn a salary with completing a degree.
Some suggestions for getting family on-board:
1) Clearly define for the path that you are taking. How the end result will not only be beneficial for you but for your whole family.
2) Create a ‘time budget’ with your family. This general structure would include the times you are available for family time/activities along with the time you are in school and must work.
3) Create an actual budget with your family. If you are working less or just paying additional tuition, resources will be tighter. Before the stress begins, speak with your family and explain your new financial situation while you are in school.
Returning to formal education can be a challenge for one who has not been in the classroom for several years. They must get used to the routines of being in the classroom, budget time for homework and studying for tests. Their families have to allow them quiet time to study and the student has to make sure they are not taking on too many hours at work.
In assisting many adult learners in the past, they have struggled to balance family obligations and the need to earn a salary with completing a degree.
Some suggestions for getting family on-board:
1) Clearly define for the path that you are taking. How the end result will not only be beneficial for you but for your whole family.
2) Create a ‘time budget’ with your family. This general structure would include the times you are available for family time/activities along with the time you are in school and must work.
3) Create an actual budget with your family. If you are working less or just paying additional tuition, resources will be tighter. Before the stress begins, speak with your family and explain your new financial situation while you are in school.
Senin, 17 Januari 2011
The value of an online degree
There is currently a firestorm of controversy surrounding the value of for-profit colleges. Many for-profits have a strong online presence- either holding all, or many, classes virtually. Online degree programs tend to oversell the value of the degree. If you are trained correctly, your online degree may have some vocational application but will lack academic credibility.
The value in online learning is the skill you learned as opposed to the degree received. Many online institutions, especially those not linked to a brick and mortar school, will command less respect when you see their name on a resume, as opposed to a well known established institution of higher learning.
An online degree may be helpful for an Information Technology professional who would like to take a continuing education course in a new programming language or a Bookkeeper who needs to upgrade their knowledge of accounting software in order to be more competitive for the job market.
By coupling up to date skills gained through continuing education (potentially including online programs) and prior work experience, job seekers can remain competitive in the market.
Take a real assessment of what your needs are to obtain employment or advance in today's job market before making a serious commitment to obtaining an online degree.
The value in online learning is the skill you learned as opposed to the degree received. Many online institutions, especially those not linked to a brick and mortar school, will command less respect when you see their name on a resume, as opposed to a well known established institution of higher learning.
An online degree may be helpful for an Information Technology professional who would like to take a continuing education course in a new programming language or a Bookkeeper who needs to upgrade their knowledge of accounting software in order to be more competitive for the job market.
By coupling up to date skills gained through continuing education (potentially including online programs) and prior work experience, job seekers can remain competitive in the market.
Take a real assessment of what your needs are to obtain employment or advance in today's job market before making a serious commitment to obtaining an online degree.
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