The Charger Blog

Homecoming Event Highlights Power and Reach of University鈥檚 Alumni Network

Students and alumni came together for a special opportunity that enabled current Chargers to practice their networking skills while building relationships with alumni who are excelling in their careers.

October 17, 2024

By Dave Cranshaw, Office of Marketing and Communications

More than 30 alumni participated in a special 鈥渕ock networking鈥 event during Homecoming.
More than 30 alumni participated in a special 鈥渕ock networking鈥 event during Homecoming.

Tyler D'Amore 鈥14, 鈥16 M.S. understands if college students could find it a bit intimating to be asked questions about their plans for the future. He found, though, that the Chargers taking part in a 鈥渕ock networking鈥 event hosted by the Career Development Center and the Office of Alumni Relations as part of Homecoming weekend were up to the challenge.

鈥淭he students I met are very ambitious, and they impressed me with their communication skills,鈥 he said.

As a member of the board of directors for the University鈥檚 Alumni Association, D鈥橝more says it is his priority to help bridge the gap between alumni and current students. 鈥淭he time I had as a student here really impacted me,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 try to come back to campus as often as possible.鈥

Alumni and students creating connections and building relationships.
Alumni and students creating connections and building relationships.

Staying engaged with his alma mater and giving back to help current students is deeply personal to D鈥橝more and his wife, Erika (Williams) D鈥橝more 鈥15, 鈥16 M.S.

鈥淯s meeting on campus led us to getting married, buying a house in West Haven, having children, and starting our family here,鈥 said Tyler. 鈥淎V天堂网 really gave our family a lot.鈥

鈥楾hey have that drive鈥

Among the more than 30 students and alumni participating in the special event was Kim Rowland 鈥99, a sales manager for . She says she always tries to hire sale interns from the University.

鈥淚 have found that the students here have to work and go to school, so they have a lot of grit,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he Career Development Center has always been good to me in supporting the roles that I have to fill, and I thought this was a great opportunity to help current students learn how to network.鈥

Rowland described the students she interacted with as very polished. 鈥淭hey come from all different backgrounds, and they have that drive,鈥 she said.

About 30 students and alumni gathered on campus during Homecoming weekend for a 鈥渕ock networking鈥 event.
About 30 students and alumni gathered on campus during Homecoming weekend for a 鈥渕ock networking鈥 event.

Samantha Williams 鈥10, president of , said the level of professionalism among the students participating was very strong.

鈥淚 saw a lot of leadership skills and abilities,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 think it is important to invest in the future generations and teach them things such as networking and tools and strategies they can take with them in their careers.鈥

鈥業 was very impressed鈥

Kelonda Maull 鈥12, executive director of , said she wishes she had opportunities like this when she was an undergrad.

鈥淚 was very impressed,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 always in the spirit of giving back and supporting the next generation of leaders.

Matt Caporale discusses the art and science of networking.
Matt Caporale discusses the art and science of networking.

鈥淥nce you are a Charger, you are always a Charger, continued Maull. 鈥淭o be part of the University community at this point in my career is important to me.鈥

Before the networking began, Matt Caporale, executive director of the Career Development Center, offered a presentation about the art and science of networking.

鈥淣etworking is about relationships and making connections,鈥 he said, explaining that one鈥檚 network is similar to a spider web. As a spider moves, or one鈥檚 network grows, it makes ripples across the web.

鈥淵ou have to spend some time getting to know other individuals because you have to find your way around that web,鈥 he said.