Michael,
I would challenge you to continue to brainstorm ideas that would benefit your graduates.
June Gudeman
One quick benifit that we could offer would be early enrollement into our classes. There are some classes that fill up on the first day of enrollment, therefore our grads would get first chance for enrollement. Another perk might be to offer the class at a reduced rate to our grads.
Our graduates are always contacted for ongoing career workshops along with internships, externships, and job placement. I try to always stay in contact with our alumni and keep contact with them on a regular basis. With these perks, I think it will keep their interest in staying in contact with the school. I would like to expand the connections with other prospective employers to provide more opportunities to our graduates.
Andrew,
It sounds like you have some good ideas for services to offer your grads. The number one reason alumni come back to their institution is for Career Services. Providing opportunities to provide placement assistance will be a great resource.
June Gudeman
We would offer the following: Free Career Services Workshops," invitation to bi-annual Alumni Dinner and Networking Events, and, they will be added to the "Career Services Weekly Job Leads" email that is sent to all Alumni.
Futute Benefits: I would consider offering skills labs to Alumni at no cost to help them advance their careers or improve in their areas of weakness.
Christina ,
I like your ideas so far. I think the important thing here is to think like a graduate. What are they looking for? What would draw them back to your institution? How can you appreciate them?
June Gudeman
We could offer counseling for practice management, clinical issues in complex cases, and even insurance billing techniques.
Assistance with marketing and website development would also be greatly valued.
Daysis,
Sounds like you are well on your way to a great alumni association. Keep thinking like a graduate - What are they looking for? What would be a benefit to them? What services could we provide? How can we help them feel appreciated?
June Gudeman
Daysis,
Career Services is the number one motivator in drawing alumni back to their institutions so your emphasis on that is right on.
June Gudeman
Christian,
Career services is the number one draw for grads to come back to their institution. You may want to poll some of your alumni to see what other services may be of interest to them?
June Gudeman
We are improving our alumni association. We have advisory board. We keep in touch with our graduates by sending them newsletters, and information about job fair events at our institute. Members of our Alumni Association offer our future grads information regarding the many job opportunities available in their field of study.
Christian,
Career services is the number one draw for grads to come back to their institution. You may want to poll some of your alumni to see what other services may be of interest to them?
June
Continued networking with other grads, possible career opportunities for those not employed or changing employment. Those are also some of the things we'd be able to offer in the future. The purpose of the AA would be continuted contact into the future, and those would be 2 of the best benifits we could offer as a school.
I'd like to encourage you to think as a graduate. What would "benefit" you? Continuing education is a great example. Think beyond that. What, for example, would draw you to an alumni website? What would make you want to be involved in an alumni association? We tend to think of things from the perspective of what would benefit our institution. Our "relationship" with our alumni needs to be a mutually benefiting relationship.
June
We will offer our grads the benefits of networking, interaction with other grads that are working in the field of study. Workshops that will help them be prepared for the worforce.
Fortunately at our schoool the percentage for job placement is over 85%, making it a lot easier for alumni to feel the need to stay connected after they graduate.
Daniela,
You are absolutely correct. The MAIN reason alumni come back to their institution is for Career Services. The more broad your offering of placement assistance, resume writing, job board, etc.the more draw for your alumni.
June
There are many benefits that can have different targets and outcomes. I strongly feel that job placement is top. It can help them create great resumes. If the Alumni is planning on going free lance , they can always benefit by staying connected and being able to reach a wide market.
Hello Sharon,
Great ideas! It sounds like you have some great options to draw your graduates back. The number one reason graduates reconnect with their school is the career services area. This is definitely an area where you want to provide the services they need.
June
By Sharon cologero;
If I were going to start an Alumni Association today, I would continue to offer life time placement assistance. A data base of all those who have graduated,along with resume so that we can assist them in the future if need be. A web site that they can access after they complete, so it will contine to help them in thier job search no matter where they may live.
A set time each quarter for them to return to the school to network with other grads and faculty, as well as take a look a the updates in the school, which may encourage them to either return for more education or encourange someone else to come.
Offer them to be part of the advisory board. To come back and speak to the up coming graduates or be a speaker at our graduation cermony.
