- Top alumni network perks you won’t want to miss
- What is an alumni network?
- Why are these benefits so important?
Picture your senior year of college: commencement looming ahead, peers landing their first jobs, and the next, exciting stage of life waiting just around the corner! Bet you weren’t thinking too much about joining your alumni association, were you? Despite there being significant reasons alumni should join their university’s alumni association, lots of students aren’t aware of these benefits — at least beyond retaining their school email address. But you’d be surprised.
Here are 11 compelling alumni association benefits that recent graduates and distant alumni alike shouldn’t miss out on.
Top alumni network perks you won’t want to miss
1. Social community
Are you, or were you once, a victim of the post-graduation blues? The blues can settle in a few months (or years!) after commencement, typically once the excitement of graduation dies down or peers have moved away. It’s the realization that a significantly social period in your life has come and gone, and those connections you built in college are starting to fade.
Luckily, staying engaged through alumni-only social events like class reunions, homecoming events, and game days is a great way to battle the post-graduation blues. By participating in themed meetups, regional gatherings, and even hosting events yourself, you can keep your college spirit alive and retain lasting friendships with fellow graduates.
2. Discounts and exclusive deals
Did you know that most school’s alumni associations offer discounts and deals for their alumni members? Whether you’re balling on a budget or living lavishly, saving money with exclusive perks is never a bad thing. These benefits can range from discounted admission to school sporting events, better rates on insurance for home, health, or auto, and even deals on travel (more on that later).
Many alumni associations will advertise these perks online, so if you haven’t already, check out your school’s online portal for alumni!
3. Career services
Many school’s alumni associations provide resources and support for career development, including career counseling, networking events, resume review, and interview preparation. Oftentimes, alumni association members can access these career services for life — so no matter how long you’ve been out of college, you can still benefit from networking opportunities alongside other graduates!
4. Huge network
From CEOs to entry-level coordinators, everyone who graduated from college is an alum, offering you a huge network of professional contacts. Your alumni community is filled with potential business connections, many of whom can can help you get your foot in the door with desired companies or career opportunities.
So don’t let that network go to waste! Though many alumni associations offer an alumni directory, many unfortunately do not. Luckily, joining a strong alumni network like Aluum makes connecting with other graduates a breeze.
5. Job opportunities
One of the greatest benefits of an alumni network is access to job opportunities. Alumni association members often get exclusive access job posting boards, career fairs, and other career services that aren’t available to the public. On top of that, attending networking events with fellow alumni can lead you to job openings that haven’t even been listed yet — helping you land your next big break in half the usual time!
6. Publicity
Most graduates don’t realize that the school’s alumni magazine can be a great publicity builder. These publications are always looking for success stories from former students; after all, the more successful a school’s graduates, the better the school’s reputation. So if you’re looking for publicity — whether it be for a new business venture, non-profit, or otherwise — turn to your school’s alumni magazine.
7. Travel and getaways
From budget car rentals to extravagant hotel stays, you might be surprised to learn that most alumni associations offer several benefits related to travel and getaways. Whether you’re heading to homecoming weekend or jet setting internationally, check with your alumni association website to see if you can score big with a discounted hotel booking or cheaper airfare.
For the adventurous alum, be sure to check your alumni association’s website to see if they offer university-sponsored travel tours. These adventures can take you and your family members to far-off destinations like Antarctica, Egypt, Patagonia and more — alongside other alumni, no less!
8. Legacy perks
Missing your college facilities? Fear not – alumni associations often offer alums access to certain areas that aren’t open to the general public, such as libraries, pools, sports equipment, and even campus itself. Legacy perks don’t stop there, either. Depending on the educational institution, it may be easier for your children to get admitted into the university as an incoming student – assuming they get the right grades, of course!
9. Lifelong learning
Continuing education is a lifelong benefit that most alumni don’t know about. As a recent graduate, you might find that you need additional certifications to unlock new career opportunities — that’s where you can turn to your alumni office’s continuing education program. Schools will frequently offer courses at a discounted rate to their college graduates. Or, maybe you’re well past your college days, and simply feel like picking up new skills. Many times, universities will offer discounts on interest-related classes like painting, sculpture, ceramics, and more.
10. Philanthropy
If you’re looking to make a positive impact on your community, turning to your alumni network is a great place to start. Most universities offer volunteer opportunities for alumni to give back to the alma mater, such as engaging in community service, mentoring current students, conducting informational interviews with prospective students, and more.
Alumni associations also offer opportunities for leadership development, including board membership, committee participation, and event planning. These philanthropic and leadership opportunities can help you feel more fulfilled and connected to the alma mater, which is a benefit most students aren’t aware of until long after graduation.
11. Gated platforms
If you’re searching for a more close-knit online community than, say, Facebook or Instagram, turn to your alumni association for a potential alternative. Many university alumni associations provide online platforms for former students to connect with each other, share knowledge, and build professional networks. Some even allow current students to join!
A well-oiled online platform is typical for a strong alumni association, but the reality is that many educational institutions don’t have the budget to do a great job here. If that’s the case for your school, try Aluum, the largest online alumni platform, as an alternative.
What is an alumni network?
An alumni network is a community of individuals who have attended or graduated from a particular university or institution. The alumni network connects former students both online and offline, allowing them to share experiences and build meaningful relationships that extend far beyond campus. The term “alumni network” is often used interchangeably with “alumni association,” though your alumni network can expand far outside of the boundaries of your school’s alumni association.
Why are these benefits so important?
As job competition grows increasingly fierce and social circles seem to grow increasingly small, alumni networks can be a powerful resource for graduates to lean on throughout post-college life. That’s because alumni associations can help graduates by:
Giving them access to professional networking, career support, and career advancement,
Providing fulfillment opportunities including volunteering, donating, and mentoring,
Helping them save money on travel, banking, and more,
And giving them a social network of peers that will be there for life.
While not every school’s alumni association can offer these perks, there’s a guaranteed alternative that can — Aluum, the largest global alumni association for all colleges across the US. Aluum members can access their alumni directory, attend events, and keep up with peers in a secure and always-free online platform. Ready to give it a shot? Join Aluum today.
