During the summer months, the Alumni Association conducted an important survey to allow graduates from the classes of 1976 through 2014 to share feedback on their past experiences with the Alumni Career Services (ACS) program, and to offer suggestions for new programs and services that would best fit their career-development needs.
The response rate to the survey was an outstanding 58 percent, which is a reflection of how important the ACS program is to those whom it is intended to serve.
“All of the feedback we received is invaluable as we work to enhance the workshops, seminars, networking opportunities and online content that we provide the alumni community,” says Lauren Villanueva ’04, ’09, director of Alumni Career Services and Lifelong Learning in the Office of Alumni Relations.
Upon analysis of the survey data, some clear and consistent messages and trends have risen to the forefront.
“Alumni reported a relatively low awareness of the in-person and online career-development seminars offered through the ACS program,” says Villanueva. “This is in contrast to the high awareness reported for the less structured networking events.”
Career-development seminars featuring alumni industry experts are regarded as a signature aspect of the ACS program, providing first-hand advice, and facilitating alumni-to-alumni connections. It is clear that there is a need to better market these offerings and distinguish them from general networking events.
“The survey showed high awareness and utilization of the technical workshops and career counseling provided by the Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC),” says Villanueva. “But it should be made clear that the ACS services differ from those provided by the SCDC in that they deliver specialized opportunities for alumni to connect with one another and share practical advice.”
The relationship between the ACS program and the SCDC should be seen as a partnership in which both areas complement one another in order to deliver a well-rounded, extensive slate of job search and career-development resources.
Another important finding from the survey is that a high number of respondents believe the ACS offerings are geared only toward young alumni who are in the early stages of their career. Many are not aware that the ACS program is as much a valuable resource to new graduates as it is to those who have been in the workforce for several decades.
While some of its offerings focus on job-search strategies and résumé and interview workshops, the ACS program also provides a robust slate of career-development resources for more seasoned and experienced alumni in the mid to late career stages. The importance of this is echoed by the majority of alumni who responded that they are currently employed, and rather than looking for a new job, they are in search of ways to grow and develop professionally in their current role.
“Alumni also consistently expressed an interest in programs that speak to their respective industries,” says Villanueva. “Moving forward, I plan to continue conversations with alumni on ways that we can provide programming that supports their respective career fields.”
A program featuring industry roundtable discussions was held in June in New York City, which consisted of small, industry-focused conversations led by alumni in the finance, fashion, entrepreneurship and engineering sectors. The event was a great success and will serve as a model for future industry-focused programs in other parts of the country. As well, industry-specific panel discussions and seminars will be led by alumni experts in locations around the country and online.
Another observation from the survey is that a convenient location is a determining factor when alumni decide whether or not to attend an ACS program, which presents a clear need to develop a consistent schedule of programming in regional areas — not just in Philadelphia — where alumni live and work.
“We also plan to enhance the offerings that we provide under the career services umbrella in the online space,” says Villanueva. “These offerings will be available to alumni anywhere in the world and will eliminate the barrier of having to travel in order to participate in an ACS program.”
The purpose of the ACS program is to provide the resources that alumni need most to take that next career step. The Alumni Association is always looking for feedback on how it can improve and evolve the program, as well as graduates who are interested in volunteering as speakers or panelists for future events. Alumni are encouraged to continue to share their ideas, and to get involved with the ACS program by contacting Lauren Villanueva at [email protected] or 215.571.3644.