Benefits of Improving the Alumni Community at Saint Mary’s
Written by Simon Auffrey Arsenault
Picture sourced from the SMU Alumni Facebook Page
Since beginning to write under the Alumni column at the SMU Journal, I have had the opportunity to interact with many of its alumni. All of them have been flourishing in the job market, and making a very good life for themselves. However, for most, it seems as if they have disconnected themselves from where they spent years of hard work and dedication to complete their postsecondary education.
At Saint Mary’s, when students are interacting with each other on campus, it reinforces this feeling of small community which we are known for, and gives the impression that this way of life will never end. However, it is found that most students drift apart due to job opportunities, lifestyle changes, or returning to where they are native to. Staying in touch with individuals whom you have spent time with throughout your studies is prone to creating lifelong friendships, in a time where making friends is more difficult than ever. This explains the importance associated with improving current ways for alumni to stay engaged. I have come up with a few ideas which could be implemented at Saint Mary’s to improve current alumni involvement.
Sense of Belonging:
For most students, University is a place where they will experience a feeling that can correlate with being at home. This feeling will ultimately carry over the years you spend studying, but when graduation comes: now what? 360Alumni highlights how maintaining this sense of belonging among alumni and current students will benefit both parties. One, it will benefit the alumni community and improve student retention, as for some, guidance from peers gives them confidence and determination to succeed in their studies. Saint Mary’s could certainly benefit from increased direct involvement between alumni and students, by increasing engagement within its Alumni community, and increasing its efforts in recognizing its alumni.
Speaking Opportunities:
Many universities have individuals who begin undertaking impressive and outstanding endeavors within their fields after graduation. By inviting individuals who are interested in speaking to future generations about their work and the road it took them to get where they are, students would be provided with a great tool to picture themselves in a few years’ time, along with a great way for them to have their hard work and passion for their field recognized by their alma mater. Around campus, we have seen a few alumni shine some light on their fields, such as writer Bruce Bishop, and Entrepreneur Ross Simmonds, along with many other captivating and interesting individuals who have crossed paths with current students of Saint Mary’s. However, one point to raise is that most of the events featuring alumni were organized and facilitated by students currently enrolled in their studies. The University should also take on the role of inviting some of its alumni members to come interact with its current students and faculty, as being invited by your alma mater is significantly different than an invitation from a student run society/committee, as it shows that your work has been noticed by those that took you under their wing to guide you through your studies.
Career and Professional Development:
While the two previous points featured ways in which current alumni are able to engage with students, and have their accomplishments recognized, what about ways for them to develop skills they have already acquired? For many recent graduates, having a clear idea of what they are looking to do with their skills they worked relentlessly on can prove difficult. By introducing post-graduation resources to and networking events aimed at those in this situation, it would more than likely increase interest in alumni remaining engaged within the community they grew accustomed to, and could help them secure employment in fields they are interested and passionate about. Thus making their hard work, and expenses associated with their studies, worth it after all.
To conclude, the three suggestions in this article would be beneficial for our University, which as of today unfortunately suffers from a lack of engagement from its alumni. By increasing engagement, we would also be increasing the number of Santamarian Ambassadors, who could share their positive experience with others, and possibly influence them in laying their eyes on our campus which has so much to offer.