Alumni engagement in employability

1. Alumni engagement in employability www.herts.ac.uk/alumni

2. IntroductionWhy work with alumni? Alumni can be our biggest advocates Students can relate to our graduates They demonstrate what is possible and can talk about how they got their job Alumni like to give back – and this can be the first way to engage with them They embody the University’s values: friendly, ambitious, collegiate, enterprising, student-focused They support the Strategic Plan

3. Case studyHumanities and alumni careers conference Community acts as a transmitter of motivation and as a modifier of social functioning… a great deal of the process of identifying motivations for career development involves the participation of parents, family, neighbourhood, peer groups and ethnic groups- their community. Gothard et al. (2001: 30) Panel style event with strong focus on Alumni involvement that started in 2009 Continually responsive to feedback Working group includes Alumni, Students, Careers, School and Student Union Representative Panel

4. Other eventsWorking with alumni in other schools and departments Panel events Speakers for final-year students Part of the taught programme On central careers events Supporting and publicising existing programmes

5. Does it work?Student feedback I am very grateful to hear from graduates from my course, as it has really helped me to regain my focus on my career, as students we tend to just focus on exams and studying and when we graduate we have nothing to fall back on. But this has really exercised my thoughts regarding my future, and for that I am very grateful. I would just like to thank all the speakers from both the Careers Conference and the Workshop Activities. This day has given me a real insight into world of work and has given me so much to think about when deciding which career, writing or teaching, to pick. So thank you. I think with all the day to day things in life that get in the way, I had lost sight of what the purpose of me being here was. Hearing from Alumni has reinvigorated me to carry on trying my best with my studies in order to achieve what I want after graduation. I can relate more to people who have actually studied my course at this University, I know they have been where I am now and in turn I can go on to achieve what they have.

6. Does it work?Alumni feedback Thank you. I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t at all nervous – until I stood at the microphone and my mind went blank! For me it was a great opportunity to get some public speaking experience in front of a large audience, and I’ve fed back to my manager that it’s a skill I’d like to improve! It was a little odd coming back but seeing the flags in the street brought it all back! It’s also interesting to see how the building and campus has evolved (law students at De Hav?!?!) Glad to hear that it has provoked interest!! The pleasure was all mine. I had a lovely time meeting with yourself and the students, as well as catching up with Mr. Geach. I’m pleased to hear that myself and the other panel members were so warmly received.

7. Does it work?Alumni feedback I genuinely enjoyed speaking at the conference so I'm really pleased to hear I was well received. It was also great to have the opportunity to speak with some of the students afterwards on a one-to-one basis. I was really surprised how many of them were interested in publishing and my own experience in the industry. You're welcome I really enjoyed coming back to the university. Lots of the students were really positive when asking about jobs on a 1:1 basis and from my own experience of being at Herts it's a super experience to offer them. During my humanities degree we didn't have an event like this to share potential job prospects and discuss how you get in these jobs so I think it's a really positive beneficial day for the students.  As a previous undergraduate at Hertfordshire myself who has sat in the audience in previous years, I've seen first-hand how useful this event can be. (One of last year's panel members actually ended up becoming my career mentor.) This is why I would love to have the opportunity to share my own career experiences with the current undergraduates at Herts.

8. Supporting materialsWhat if alumni can’t come on to campus? • International and UK • Profiles and testimonials • Posters • Webinars and filming • Offering work experience/ work shadowing or recruiting students

9. Alumni as employersWider benefits Work Experience Opportunities: “I have been in contact with Mr Calum Di Lieto as I approached him at the lunch and talk last semester and he emailed me regarding a part time paid internship at Executive Grapevine” “Good afternoon, I am an Alumni of the Law School and keen to help others get into law. My firm is looking to recruit a legal assistant and I wanted to advertise the opportunity to law graduates of the Law School. This is an ideal opportunity for someone to get their foot on the legal ladder.” International placements – for UK and international students Support with periodic review and programme validation Market knowledge and career progression https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3772175

10. What next?How we can work with you to engage your graduates • Let us know if you want to use alumni to support school or programme’s careers talks or events. • If you’re already working with your graduates – fantastic! Please just let us know so that we can say thank you. • This is one way we’re engaging with our alumni community – other areas include recruitment support, international engagement, reunions and events – let us know if you’d like more details. • We have more employability initiatives planned with the Careers team for the future, including increasing the number of alumni involved in current activities.

11. Thank you for listening!Please could you complete the cards with:- Any instances where alumni are currently supporting your school or course- How you would like to get alumni involved in the future.Any questions?l.barnes@herts.ac.ukh.a.meyer@herts.ac.uk