Russian Language Journal
Keywords
alumni networking, mentoring, student recruitment, student retention, career readiness
Abstract
This article explains how to build an alumni network and describes the benefits of such initiatives. Echoing the 2024 “Report on English Majors’ Career Preparation and Outcomes” prepared by the ADE Ad Hoc Committee on English Majors’ Career Preparation and Outcomes, it argues that providing students with regular opportunities to hear from and interact with program alumni offers tangible benefits in terms of career preparation. By attending Zoom and in-person alumni career talks, students can learn about the diverse range of jobs where language and literature majors can achieve success. The chance to speak one-on-one with an alumnus/alumna with similar interests can give them the encouragement they need to apply for a first internship, entry-level job, or graduate school admissions.
This article provides practical tips for maintaining connections with students after graduation; leveraging campus resources—including those offered by development/advancement and the alumni association—to fund on-campus alumni events; and involving university staff (from career services, for example) in programs, so that student attendees are reminded of relevant campus resources. It also notes the importance of encouraging a diverse range of alumni to participate in programming, including both those in high prestige careers and graduates whose lives provide a more broadly accessible model of success to current students. It shows how alumni engagement can combat misconceptions about the career prospects of graduates in the humanities, which in turn advances recruitment and retention.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, E., & Carmichael, E. (2026). Building an Alumni Network: Strategies and Benefits. Russian Language Journal, 76(1). https://doi.org/10.70163/2831-9737.1560
