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• Students will be matched one-on-one with an alum virtually during the fallÌýsemester. Ìý
• Students and alumni are requested to schedule their own virtual meeting.Ìý
• Meetings can occur over the phone or video conference (e.g. Zoom), depending on each participant's preference.Ìý
• Students and alumni are requested to let the Alumni Association know they met and provide feedback via the survey form sent at the time of matching.Ìý

• Students will be matched with an alum and aÌýsmall group of other students for in-person dinners.Ìý
• You will be contacted by a member of our team to confirm theÌýdate, time, and location of your in-person dinner. Alumni may also choose to meet with you over coffee or lunch, instead of dinner!
• In-person dinners can be repositioned as virtual conversations at any point during the fall semester for the safety of our community.Ìý

Business casual is proper attire for this dinner. That goes for virtual conversations, too!ÌýNot sure what this means? Business casual clothing is crisp, neat, and should look appropriate. Just rememberÌýyou want to represent yourself positively in front of the host and/or the other dinner guests.Ìý

Smart choices include:

• Khaki or nicer material pants, skirts, or dresses, neatly pressed
• Pressed long-sleeved, buttoned solid shirt
• Tailored shirts or blouses, knit sweaters, and sweater sets
• Dress shoes or smart-casual sneakers

For in-person dinners, the host is paying for your meal, not AU. Sending a thank you card is both an expected courtesy and an important part of successful networking. Know that follow-up letters keep your name current should opportunities arise in an organization and/or field.

Please send the card to your host to specially acknowledge and thank them for dinner and/or your conversation.

Don't forget to exchange contact information with the host before leaving!

You must let us know if you can no longer attend; no-shows will not be allowed to participate in future dinners.

Cancellations need to be submitted to Jariah McFaddenÌýat least 48Ìýhours before your dinner. Please include your name, contact information, date of dinner, and name of the dinner host.

One way to receive more detailed information about an occupation or career is toÌýconduct an informational interview; this is one way to approach Dinner with Alumni.ÌýInformational interviewing is the process of talking to professionals who are employed in a career field/industry that is of interest to you.

If this is of interest to you, please see the below suggestions.

1. Know What You Want to Accomplish

The primary objectives are to:

• Investigate a specific career field.
• Narrow career options.
• Obtain advice on where you might fit in an organization.
• Learn the language and important issues in the field.
• Broaden your network for future reference.
• Create a strategy for entering your field.

2. Conducting the Informational Interview

Before the Dinner:

• Research the host's employer or organization.
• Write down questions you wish to ask.
• Learn something about the person you will be interviewing.
• Dress professionally.
• Bring copies of your resume to distribute only upon request.

During the Dinner:

• Share what information you expect to learn.
• Initiate the conversation, since you are the interviewer.
• Request referrals to other individuals in the field or in related organizations.

*Remember that this is an information-gathering event, not an employment interview.

After the Dinner:

• Send a thank-you note.
• Evaluate your style of interviewing.
• What could you have done better?
• Evaluate the information you received.
• How does it relate to your plans?
• Map out your next step.

3. What to Ask Your Host

Make a list of questions you would like answered by the host about a career field or organization. To gain the most information, use open-ended questions to engage your host. Listed below are sample questions to help you prepare for your dinner.

Questions about the Field:

• What types of positions are available in this career field?
• What general skills do people need to perform their responsibilities (e.g., organizing, supervising, writing)?
• What background is required?
• What kind of training or education do you recommend?
• What characterizes a typical entry level position in the field?
• What is the outlook for entry-level professionals?
• What are some alternative methods of entry into the field?
• What is the future of this field in terms of new and expanding opportunities?

In addition, ask about other information that may be helpful (e.g., critique of resume, job-seeking tactics, names of other professionals in the field).

Questions about the Organization

• What are some short and long-term goals of the organization in the areas of growth, new products or services and expansion of facilities?
• What is the philosophy of the organization and what types of training programs are available?
• Can you describe an entry-level and a mid-level job?
• Can you describe your job?
• What is a typical career path from entry-level to top management?