Networking With Carnegie Mellon Alumni
WHAT IS NETWORKING?
Networking is the process of connecting with people working in various jobs and career fields of interest to you to get information and build relationships. Networking is NOT asking someone for a job! Networking provides the information you need to become more focused in your career plans, as well as the information to help you land a job in your targeted field of interest.
WHY SHOULD I NETWORK WITH ALUMNI
Carnegie Mellon alumni are a tremendous resource for students. They can share their perspectives not only on their current industry or employer, but also understand the skills learned and the adjustments needed in transitioning from Carnegie Mellon to the work world.
HOW DO I DO IT?
Prepare Yourself
In addition to working with your respective Career Center counselor, it is a good idea to do some of the following research before contacting alumni.
- Research the field, the job type(s) and the organization: First, do some reading to learn the basics and to provide a framework for understanding what you hear in your networking conversation. Second, contacts expect you to show your commitment to the process by doing some research on your own before approaching them.
- Get organized: Create a notebook or spreadsheet to track your contacts. Include sections to record the contact’s name, title, address, phone number, email, dates of contacts, type of contacts (i.e. left message, emailed), results of contacts, date to follow up, type of follow up (i.e. call, send resume), names of additional contacts given with title, address, contact information, and a place to make general notes for each contact.
- Screen your own voicemail message: Revise your outgoing message to sound more like a job seeker than a student.
Make Initial Call or Write Initial Letter
The first contact should introduce yourself briefly, explain why you are contacting them and express interest in setting up a time to meet or talk on the phone to learn more about their job, organization and career.
Sample phone script #1. (can be adapted for letter or email):
“Hi. My name is John Smith and I obtained your name from the Carnegie Mellon alumni directory. I am a junior at Carnegie Mellon and have decided to pursue some type of environmental work after graduation. I know a little bit about your organization and am very interested in the work it does. I am calling to ask if you would be willing to speak with me to give me more information about the organization and the industry.”
Sample phone script #2. (can be adapted for letter or email):
“Hi. My name is Mary Jones. John Miller gave me your name and said you might be willing to chat with me about your work. I am a sophomore at Carnegie Mellon majoring in English and am just starting to explore career possibilities. One career that really interests me is radio broadcasting. I worked as a DJ at the college radio station and interned with KKJI in Seattle and loved both experiences. I am calling to see if you would be willing to speak with me to answer some questions about your work and how you got started.”
Prepare a List of Questions You Want Answered
“Broad brush” questions often work best for general career exploration. Here are some examples that you might modify for your use:
- Questions about the contact:
- How did you first get interested in this line of work?
- What has been your career path?
- Does your work relate to any academic experiences or studies you pursued while at Carnegie Mellon?
- How did other aspects of your Carnegie Mellon experience prepare you for this career?
- What do you enjoy most (and least) about your work in this industry, and why?
- What is your typical day like?
- What kind of hours do you work? Are they flexible?
- Are there particular lifestyle choices you have made on account of the type of work you do?
- Questions about the organization:
- What is a typical career path in this organization?
- Does your employer offer any type of training program? What skills and/or experience are necessary?
- What are the prospects for advancement?
- What is your organization’s mission?
- How would you describe the culture or work environment and the people with whom you work?
- Questions about the career field:
- What type of education or training is recommended or necessary to excel in the field?
- What are the typical jobs, particularly at the entry level?
- What is the salary range for these positions?
- Can you recommend specific trade journals, publications, or web site resources which would be particularly helpful for conducting research about this field?
- Among my strongest assets are (skills, areas of knowledge, personality traits, and values). Where might they fit into this field?
- Whom else might you recommend I approach for advice about entering this particular field?
- Is this field comprised of a diverse workforce?
- Do professional networks exist that provide support to individuals like myself who are seeking to enter this field?
Continue to follow up with each contact
Relationships, which begin only to provide information, will often develop into leads to actual positions in that company or another one. The key is to keep following up at appropriate times to get more information, set up additional meetings, make more phone calls and eventually send a resume and letter if there is an opportunity for which you’ve been encouraged to apply or one that seems like a good fit. Make notes of type and timing of follow up with contact, (i.e. contact him or her in two months to inquire about the development of any positions, or make contact with referral given).
Payback
As a student, you may feel uncomfortable with networking — you are always on the taking side. You will be able to repay those who help you.
- Say thank you. A handwritten personal thank you note is always appreciated!
- Give regular updates to those whom have helped you to let them know how the search is going.
- Check in with networking contacts on a yearly basis just to update them on how you are doing.
- Offer to be of assistance to other networkers after you land a job.
- Sign up for the Alumni Career Advisor Network and help other Carnegie Mellon students!
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