Students Dine With Alumni at Event Hosted by the Career Center, EOP, and Alumni Advancement
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Students talk to alumni at professional dinner.
On Tuesday, November 14, EOP, R.I.S.E, PMPDD, and First-Gen students attended a networking dinner with alumni focused on helping students enhance their networking skills. The evening started with appetizers allowing for students from the different programs to get to know each other before the round-table style alumni discussions.
As students enjoyed their dinner, alumni from all different fields shared the stories of how far they have come since graduating from Seton Hall University. As each alum went from table to table, they offered guidance surrounding various subjects regarding career readiness. The following are some pieces of advice they provided.
Elevator pitch
Elevator pitches are brief summaries about one's experience, education, and aspirations. First impressions are important, and elevator pitches are how you introduce yourself at events like career fairs, conferences, or dinners. Having an elevator pitch and practicing it helps when meeting people for the first time in professional settings.
Networking
Networking is about getting to know other people. It can be people from the same industry or similar interests. At the alumni dinner, everyone had one thing in common. Everyone was from Seton Hall. Many conversations started discussing their own experience at Seton Hall. They shared the importance of networking in their work life. They explained how networking brings opportunities and the chance to have a mentor.
Attire
It is important to recognize what you should wear to various events and in different situations. One of the alumni went into the differences between dress codes and which ones fit different situations.
Interviewing
Alumni offered advice on interviews and how to approach them. They explained different strategies to answer questions, how to control body language, and what to do after the interview.
Internships
Some of the Alumni discussed how internships helped them gain experience and learn valuable skills. Handshake and LinkedIn are great resources to find internship opportunities online.
Although the evening provided students with the opportunity to know different alumni, the event also got each group of students to learn about their respective programs and how each of their experiences at Seton Hall have been so far. As alumni rotated from table to table, students not only learned from alumni, but also from each other.
For more information on the Career Center's resources and events, check their Instagram, website, and Engage page.