Wondering how to kickstart your networking?
One strategy is to build or expand your professional network by connecting with Columbia alumni. Alumni can be resources for information about preparation for career paths, industry trends, and the cultures of organizations.
Networking with alumni can happen at events or one-on-one.
There are various ways that you can find and connect with alumni, including through:
- online alumni directories
- virtual events
- mentoring programs
- LinkedIn groups
- alumni profiles
Once you’ve connected, read on for tips on how to navigate your network, write your outreach messages, participate in events, and track your networking research.
School-Specific AND All-School Resources for You to Consider:
Columbia College (CC)
If you’re a Columbia College student or alum, here are some school-specific resources:
- Join the Odyssey Mentoring Program: Odyssey is an online community exclusively for College students and alum, managed by Columbia College Alumni Relations. You can connect with an alumni mentor for just-in-time advice or long-term mentorship.
- Participate in Virtual Events: Check out upcoming events.
- Check out the CC Alumni Directory: The online CC Alumni Directory allows you to search by name, class year, location, company name and more.
- Explore the Columbia Alumni Association Online Alumni Community: By using the Online Alumni Community portal, you can search and connect with Columbia alumni across Schools, degrees, graduation years, regions, interests, and more. There’s a Student Login and an Alumni Login.
Additional Information
Contact ccalumni@columbia.edu for additional information on connecting with alumni.
School of Engineering (SEAS)
- Participate in Virtual Events: Check out upcoming events.
- Explore the Columbia Alumni Association Online Community: By using the Online Alumni Community portal, you can search and connect with Columbia alumni across Schools, degrees, graduation years, regions, interests, and more. There’s a Student Login and an Alumni Login.
Additional Information
Contact seasalumni@columbia.edu for additional information on connecting with alumni.
General Studies (GS)
- Explore the Columbia Alumni Association Online Community: By using the Online Alumni Community portal, you can search and connect with Columbia alumni across Schools, degrees, graduation years, regions, interests, and more. There’s a Student Login and an Alumni Login.
- Participate in Virtual Events: Check out upcoming events.
Additional Information
Contact gsalumni@columbia.edu for additional information on connecting with alumni.
All Schools
Utilize Resources/Platforms to Connect with Alumni
- Explore the Columbia Alumni Association Online Community: By using the Online Alumni Community portal, you can search and connect with Columbia alumni across Schools, degrees, graduation years, regions, interests, and more. There’s a Student Login and an Alumni Login.
- Learn about Alumni Clubs: There are domestic, international, and special interest alumni clubs. Also, check out the alumni events calendar for upcoming global events.
- Browse Alumni Profiles: We have profiles of talented CC, SEAS, and GS alumni who have shared their career stories, offered unique career insights, provided a viewpoint into the multitude of career options.
- Join a LinkedIn Group: Once you’re in a LinkedIn group with an alum, it’s possible to reach out to them through the group even if you’re not otherwise connected. Click into the group, view the list of members, and search for the alum you’ve discovered through your research. Next, you can write them a personalized message.
- Columbia Career Connections LinkedIn Group - This group connects students and alumni for career exploration, informational interviews, and job search guidance.
- Columbia Alumni Association Network LinkedIn Group - Facilitated by Columbia Alumni Affairs, this group provides you with the opportunity to build your professional alumni network.
- Apply to Positions on LionSHARE: Many alumni post positions on LionSHARE and champion the hiring of Columbia students at their organizations. Alumni understand the value of your learning experiences and can advocate for your unique skills in their workplaces.
Connect with Alumni via Programs and Events:
- Apply to the Virtual Practice Interview Program: The Virtual Practice Interview Program is a chance for you to prepare and practice interviewing for an upcoming internship or full-time job opportunities. You will have the opportunity to practice interviewing with a Columbia University alum and receive real-world feedback in real-time.
- Consider the CCE Alumni Mentoring Program (CAMP): CAMP provides a unique opportunity for you to develop key professional and practical skills while also participating in an internship, fellowship, research, and/or volunteer opportunity in any field. If you have secured a professional summer opportunity, you can apply to CAMP, which will give you access to an alumni mentor, provide professional development training and ongoing support, and connect you with a cohort of professionals.
- Register for Career Fairs: Alumni often participate in recruitment events like career fairs. See the CCE Events calendar for details about upcoming events.
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Review our networking resoures including: What is Networking and Why Do You Need to Do It?, Key Strategies for Networking and Informational interviewing, Informational Interviewing is Key to Your Job Search, Virtual Career Fairs: How to Prepare and Engage with Employers, and What to Know Before You Go: Researching Organizations.
- Use a Tracker Tool: We have designed a sample networking tracker for you that you can adapt to your needs. It can help you stay organized during the networking process.
- Consult Design Your Next Steps: Design Your Next Steps is our comprehensive career planning guide. It contains everything you need to jump-start your career beyond Columbia.
- Schedule a Career Counseling Appointment: Please feel free to schedule an appointment with a career counselor for more information about these resources and how to network with alumni!