U.S., SOUTHERN PLAINS: Alumni Networking

By Peter Biadasz
U.S. Southern Plains Bureau Chief
(Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico)

I once had a mentor who instructed me to build my network, in part, by writing down the names of everyone I have known from high school to the present and reconnect with those people. This exercise helped me to realize the great value in past relationships and helped me to rekindle friendships and acquaintances long since gone, so I thought. While this article is to touch on alumni networking at the college level, the same principles also apply to the high school you may have graduated from.

I discovered an alumni network at TCU in Houston Texas. Their School of Business sponsors a bi-annual alumni networking luncheon. These types of gatherings give alumni the chance to reconnect with past friends, make new ones, meet other alumni and grow their networks.

Then I realized the power in the alumni network of many of the colleges in the Southern Plains. Not meaning to rank the institutions and not meaning to leave any out, but, Colorado State University, the University of Colorado , the University of Missouri, the University of Texas, Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Missouri, Kansas State University, Texas Tech, the University of Arkansas, New Mexico State University, and the University of Louisiana all have alumni activities aimed specifically at networking the tens of thousand of alumni that have graced their campuses over the years. Some of these alumni now live around the world as their careers have matured. These networking opportunities are usually a function of the school of business at each campus. Not to be biased, but college networking in the Southern Plains rocks!

Many of these college alumni groups also have meeting places on the internet. You will find them on such sites as LinkedIn, the world's largest online business network, yahoo groups and classmates.com, to name a few. On these sites you may be able to send messages to fellow alumni, chat, create albums and upload photos, share links, search for member contact information, learn of events on calendars and many more things that will enhance networking with your fellow alumni.

Also, are you looking for a scholarship for your offspring? Need additional education to help you get that promotion or make a career change? Desire additional professional development courses or professional certificates? These alumni networking opportunities are an avenue to meet these needs.

Finally, for the truly motivated, you can even start and alumni chapter in your hometown.

So look into your past to achieve more in your future. Remember to do the same with your former high school classmates. You will be surprised at the opportunities you will find.

Peter Biadasz, author of such books as More Leads and Increase Your Sales And Lower Your Golf Score, is President of Total Publishing And Media. To learn more about publishing or marketing your book feel free to contact Peter at www.TotalPublishingAndMedia.com

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U.S., SOUTHERN PLAINS: Alumni Networking