By Matt Heller
Staff Writer
The Office of Career Development at St. Michael’s College has introduced two new programs, this academic year, which will allow students to leverage connections with employers and alumni.
SMC CONNECT
SMC Connect is a communal place where students and alumni can meet. Communities within the program connect students and alumni through commonalities such as hometown and fields of study.
“As a student you can see what alums are in there who do I want to connect with. I’ve been saying it’s like LinkedIn just for St. Mike’s” said Ingrid Peterson, director of career education.
Brenda Kelley Kim’s ’86 book, “Sink or Swim: Tales from the Deep End of Everywhere”, discusses overcoming obstacles and emerging from crises stronger and happier. She looks forward to incorporating these strategies into SMC Connect, where she will have the opportunity to meet and assist current students.
SMC Connect is just shy of 1,300 users, according to Angela Armour ‘99, director of alumni and family relations. In an email, Armour said that the marketing strategy for both platforms includes demonstrating them in classes and with other groups of students.
“We are doing a mix of social media posts, emails, and in-class/program demos as part of the marketing strategy,” Armour said. “We also include a link to SMC Connect in all of our invitations to alumni.”
“Thanks to SMC Connect and our fabulous alumni, I now know what I want to do after graduation and have ideas of companies I plan to apply to!” said Natalie Jackson ’19 in a testimony used to promote SMC Connect.
HANDSHAKE
Handshake, which has replaced JobLink, will allow employers in the area and around the country to post jobs. According to Peterson, Handshake will give students a wider reach to find internships and jobs. Handshake also allows students to apply for jobs on campus, set up meetings with career advisors, and learn about upcoming events. In addition, employers have the ability to find and contact students based on their profile.
“From the student side, there are a lot more capabilities where students can work within their account to create a profile,” said Renee Davitt ‘86, coordinator of on-campus student employment. “They can list skills that they have and they can list relevant courses.”
One of the events was the Career Symposium, which was held on Friday, Nov. 9. The symposium featured a keynote address by Kortney Peagram ‘01, career and industry-specific panels, and a networking reception.
“We want students to be comfortable,” Davitt said. “It’s safe and you’re in front of alumni who came back on campus to give to you, as students, their time and expertise and share their experiences.”
Matt McCauley ‘19 attended the symposium to hear from alumni in various industries, specifically what their jobs are and how they got there.
“St. Mike’s has a close-knit community… people who go to St. Mike’s will see St. Mike’s and that’ll get you that first step up the ladder,” said McCauley, who has a Handshake account and is in the process of creating an account for SMC Connect. “It’ll be good to connect to alumni, you already have something in common before you meet them.” Peterson highlighted the importance of taking advantage of the two platforms and events like the career symposium.
“There’s no cost and all three things are investments,” she said, “that we made for you as students.”
Students can access Handshake and SMC Connect on the St. Michael’s College website. They are located on the Career Education and Alumni Engagement Center page.