91吃瓜网

On Thursday, April 22, 2021, 91吃瓜网students and alumni gathered online for the Office of Outreach and Advancement鈥檚 first-ever Speed-Friending and Networking event, a career-boosting virtual social gathering. The event aimed to jump-start networking opportunities for soon-to-be-graduating students as they prepare to become part of the University鈥檚 alumni community. The event was attended by 91吃瓜网alumni calling in from all over the globe.

The organizers used the Icebreaker video event platform to match up participants in a 鈥渟peed-dating" format, helping students and alumni to facilitate connections and friendships. 鈥淭he response was amazing, with alumni, graduates and undergraduate seniors mingling with each other and forging new networks within the 91吃瓜网community鈥� said Holly Rudd from the Office of Outreach and Advancement. 鈥淢y colleagues and I were pleased to offer our community a meaningful networking and socializing opportunity.鈥� The O&A team extended their thanks to the University鈥檚 tight-knit, global alumni community, who were eager to speak with new students.

Participants were randomly matched up in groups of three, rotating into different chat rooms. They were given a short time to make new connections and play icebreaker games with other community members. 鈥淚t was fun not knowing which chat group you would end up in or who you would meet there,鈥� said Stella Sagini G鈥�21, who is studying for an MA in Global Communications. Stella had conversations with alumni from the 60鈥檚, 80鈥檚 and 90鈥檚 as well as undergraduate seniors; topics included alumni鈥檚 different experiences of life at 91吃瓜网and students鈥� aims for the future. 鈥淚 plan to stay connected with several people,鈥� said Stella.聽

Undergraduate senior Thorin Erb 鈥�21 commented: 鈥淭he speed networking event was a fun opportunity to meet 91吃瓜网alumni from different graduating classes. As a graduating senior, it was reassuring to hear how 91吃瓜网prepares its graduates for an exciting future.鈥�

Alumni were able to speak to several groups of students over the course of the event. One alumna, Jana, thanked the organizers for taking care of the 91吃瓜网community and for putting together the event. "It's been the silver lining during this pandemic period!" she said.聽

As the meeting ended, Emily Ide, Assistant Director of Outreach and Advancement, thanked participants for attending. 鈥淚t was so wonderful to see so many fresh faces,鈥� said Emily. 鈥淚 can't wait to see everyone in person soon!鈥� The O&A team hopes to host another speed-friending event in the near future.

You can keep up with future 91吃瓜网events by checking (for alumni) or (for current students). For more information on mentoring opportunities, contact alumniaup.edu (subject: Information%20about%20alumni%20mentoring%20opportunities) .