A Truly Connected and Valuable Alumni Network

There is inherent value in Alumni network around the world and that stems from the value of being connected to people that have the same interests as you and share a similar journey. Most universities have alumni networks as well as 98% of fortune 500 companies, both yield beneficial results in terms of ROI, reputation and social capital.

Connecting Graduates

Back in 2004, a number of Harvard students had the idea to connect college students into a network where they could find each other, share content and interact. This grew into an international company hitting close to $1 Trillion known as Facebook (now Meta). The logical reason for it's growth and adoption is the innate desire for humans to be connected and experience social value.

For universities and colleges, bringing people together gives them a sense of belonging which in turn is a key part of purpose in life. Together, great things can happen thanks to the power of collaboration.

University Reputation

When students are looking to enrol at university, they most often judge them by their reputation. That is why top universities have more applications and tougher entry standards, to keep the level high. Apart from the academic side, university reputation largely stems from notable graduates that were once sitting the same lectures as new undergraduates. It is an honour to be part of the same alumni network as some of the worlds leading figures in business, politics and fame.

Lack of Connection

However, very few alumni actively engage in their networks and too few universities prioritise the development of their alumni network service. This leads to only 9% of graduates that report their alumni network is helpful for them.

It's actually a shame to lose that connection that was once made during student years. Throughout life, most people never meet and interact with such a wide group of people as they do at university. In fact, connections are arguably the most valuable asset from going to university in the first place. So why not develop the alumni network and make it the most valuable that it can possible be?

Take a lesson from Social Media

Companies like facebook were able to grow early and create demand by providing an online network and harnessing exclusivity for only certain colleges. A similar approach can be taken for alumni networks, to build an exclusive network application that cherishes interaction, shares content, opportunities and fosters communication among alumni.

Building a Strong Alumni Network

There are many benefits where alumni networks can really help graduates. For some, it could be job opportunities and they could be matched with other graduates that are looking to hire. For others, it could be upskilling initiatives to business opportunities. The point is, alumni are there to benefit each other, all the alumni scheme has to do is foster interaction by providing a platform and engagement features. The user base is already there...

The ROI for Universities

By providing value, you increase your revenue. Firstly, it's reputation and that is one of the most important qualities for a university, just like a brand is for a company. Second, when alumni feel value in their network, they have a sense of belonging and a desire to give back to the community that helps them along the way. Universities will not need to ask their alumni to donate, the alumni who have the opportunity to do so will if they feel valued and connected.