UM Alumni Association value (In general, but NYC also)

Submitted by Sugaloaf on

Hey MGoReaders, 

I was looking at joining the UM Alumni Association and wanted to get everyone's take on whether they've felt it's been useful or not useful for networking purposes.  Certainly Alumni sports-based events are a good way just to meet and connect with othe Alums, but have any of you taken advantage specifically of the career-help offerings?

I ask because I'm in NYC as an actor (UM grad in Aerospace Engineering, haha) and with the 18,000 UM alums here, the Alumni Assoc could be a great way for like-minded people to meet in a notoriously difficult career and city.

Any general advice on the Alumni Assoc career angle and/or NYC specifically would be greatly appreciated!

It would be a fantastic way to work with and help out other UM Alums in this great city.  Go Blue!

MGoBoard
Other

Mgotri

August 19th, 2013 at 2:10 PM ^

Met my wife through it...that was fun.

 

Edit: She has gotten at least 3 interviews as a direct result of knowing someone through the club

Joined: 03/04/2013

MGoPoints: 6985

BlueHills

August 19th, 2013 at 2:17 PM ^

I can't say whether it will help actors professionally, but a huge benefit of the Alumni Association is the summer family camps it has in Michigan, New York and California.

I made a ton of lasting friendships at Michigania, the camp on Walloon Lake, and several actually brought opportunities for my music production company.

In addition, the camps are a wonderful experience; faculty participates, one year the UM assistant coaches were there (and our family struck up a great friendship with one of the coaches), and overall it's highly recommended as being one of the best family vacations a person can take.

While there is a waiting list to participate in the camps, they are a great experience and not enough alumni are aware of them.

 

 

Joined: 10/31/2010

MGoPoints: 7466

bronxblue

August 19th, 2013 at 2:33 PM ^

I'm guessing your mileage will vary based on how open you are to networking and talking to people in the context of the alumni network.  I'm not overly comfortable in the meet-and-greet style, so outside of going to a couple of viewing parties I'm pretty hands-off.  Other people I know of love that stuff and are great conversationalists and being involved in the alumni community, and as a result they have a blast.  I'd say don't head in looking to "use" the group for anything beyond catching up with alumni and reveling in UM.  Anything else that results is more icing on the cake.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171032

Michigasling

August 19th, 2013 at 3:44 PM ^

But I've accidentally gotten some free-lance work from friends I'd met through the Alumni Club.  Both lawyers, but one job was actually for artsy skills.  I originally joined for some literary dinners organized by the Entertainment Coalition (UMEC) in NYC, with guest alumni luminaries.  Very much enjoyed them, but UMEC seems to have petered out.  Perhaps it needs some young blood? 

I seem to remember also joining the alumni club to broaden my friend base in the city, to meet new people from different fields who were obviously smart and not always talking about auditions.  Which doesn't mean I would hold the latter against you, you being an actor and all.  It's just that my friends who are always talking about auditions have no interest in my always talking about Michigan sports.

Joined: 11/21/2009

MGoPoints: 7751

willow

August 19th, 2013 at 5:21 PM ^

1. It's a great way to get acquainted in a new city - there are young alumni groups in bigger cities.

2. You meet some wonderful people you would meet otherwise.

3. You have game parties and other lunatics to watch with.

4. You can make new friends, outside your work environment/profession.

5. If you're in a town on business, you can often get invited to some awesome events.  (dinner and a play, final four tix, meetings, dinners at people's homes ...)

Joined: 04/02/2010

MGoPoints: 280

Vasav

August 19th, 2013 at 5:36 PM ^

It is a great networking tool. I've made some great friends through it, even when I was posted halfway around the world in Tokyo. Not sure about NYC, but everywhere I've gone it has been incredibly worth it for me

Joined: 12/13/2009

MGoPoints: 19203

imgoingblue

August 19th, 2013 at 10:03 PM ^

The alumni dues do a lot of good...and should be considered as a way to help other students and graduates while also getting a few perks for yourself.

Dues help provide scholarships to aspiring Wolverines.

They fund a career office that helps both graduates (like you) with finding opportunities/development, and they connect current students with alumni for internships

The dues directly aid with funding programming in your city with your local club.  For instance: Last year the DC club was able to bring in Brian Cook to speak to our members thanks to this money.  

 

 

 

Joined: 10/12/2011

MGoPoints: 60