On Tuesday, November 14, EOP, RISE, PMPDD, and first-generation students attended a networking dinner with alumni focused on helping students improve their networking skills. The evening began with appetizers, allowing students from various programs to get to know each other before a roundtable-style alumni discussion.
As students enjoyed dinner, alumni from various fields talked about their journeys since graduating from Seton Hall University. Each graduate went from table to table, providing guidance on a variety of career readiness topics. Below is some of the advice they offered.
elevator pitch
An elevator pitch is a short summary of your experience, education, and aspirations. First impressions matter, and the elevator pitch is how you introduce yourself at career fairs, conferences, dinners, and other events. Having and practicing your elevator pitch will help you when meeting people for the first time in a professional setting.
networking
Networking is about getting to know other people. It could be someone in your industry or someone with similar interests. At the reunion dinner, everyone had something in common. All were from Seton Hall. Many conversations started about my experiences at Seton Hall. They shared the importance of networking at work. They explained how networking brings opportunities and the chance to have a mentor.
clothing
It’s important to be aware of what to wear at different events and in different situations. One of our graduates looked into the differences between dress codes and which ones are appropriate for different situations.
Under interview
We received advice from alumni about interviews and how to approach them. They explained different strategies for answering questions, how to control body language, and what to do after the interview.
internship
Some graduates discussed how their internships helped them gain experience and learn valuable skills. Handshake and LinkedIn are great resources for finding internship opportunities online.
While the evening provided students with an opportunity to meet various alumni, the event also provided opportunities for each group of students to learn more about their programs and what their respective experiences at Seton Hall have been like so far. I also learned a lot. As graduates took turns moving from table to table, students learned not only from the graduates, but also from each other.
For more information about Career Center resources and events, check out our Instagram, website, and Engage page.
Categories: Alumni Association, Business