Alumni Societies: Worth Joining or Not?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 11:46:49 -0400

I am just wondering if these alumni societies are worth joining when you are an adult online student and not a hormone crazed 18-year-old living on campus. Do they help at all with networking and/or job hunting post-graduation, or is it a waste of time and money to join?

Response by CW5 Andrew J. Foreman made Jun 10 at 2016 11:48 AM

CW5 Andrew J. Foreman — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 11:48:19 -0400

Overall no, just ways to raise money for schools. However, there could be value in finding a mentor.

Response by SPC Jillian O'Malley made Jun 10 at 2016 12:30 PM

SPC Jillian O'Malley — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 12:30:43 -0400

I'll be honest, the only reason I joined my school's alumni association was because I wanted the nice shirt and the pint glass they gave me for joining. Its only $20 a year, but that's all I have really gotten out of my membership, but my beer looks nice in the pint glass

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 12:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 12:37:27 -0400

In my Opinion yes, they can not only help you with Jobs, places to live and mentoring but in other ways as well. I recently moved to TX for a new job and needed a trailer to move some of my house hold goods to storage, A fellow Alumni is the one that answered the call. Once I got down to Houston another fellow Alumni offered to show me the city and a nice cooked meal at his place. Before joining Rally Point I would go to my Alumni chats and ask them about opinions, and help. Not all Alumni Societies cost money either, I am in two different ones from my bachelors that are free and another one from my Masters that is free. I believe they are worth joining.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 12:42 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 12:42:23 -0400

I have participated in the USNA Alumni Chapter here locally on-and-off. My experiences were mixed: Yes, great to learn from more senior people and develop a network. However, since I live near Oak Ridge, just about every one of them is former Navy Nuke...so, not too much direct professional interface. Still, one never knows, and I think if nothing else...it keeps one's toe-in, so to speak.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 12:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 12:48:54 -0400

In addition to my school's overall alumni society, they also have alumni clubs in larger cities. In my experience those clubs are more useful. My school was in Missouri, but when I moved to Denver for a bit the connections from the local chapter really helped me network in the area.

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 10 at 2016 12:59 PM

SPC David S. — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 12:59:05 -0400

I was offered to join alumni as well as honor societies and really didn't see the need - It might help in finding a job but that is a might not will - Hey but if you want to toot your own horn go a head and join - just don't expect much in return other than your school hitting you up for some cash.

Response by 1LT Tom Welch made Jun 10 at 2016 2:24 PM

1LT Tom Welch — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 14:24:16 -0400

never saw the need to waste the money, lots of people do, however.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made Jun 10 at 2016 2:34 PM

Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 14:34:21 -0400

As you said, alumni societies provide a great network. If the cost (if any) is minimal why not. Networking is the best way to get help finding jobs. The alumni members may not be able to help directly, but their support simply widens your reach. And, you automatically have something in common with them.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 10 at 2016 2:35 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 14:35:39 -0400

I've been a life member of my alumni association since I graduated. I like my school, and am proud to have graduated from it. Membership is a way to stay connected, meet other graduates and make a contribution toward the continued growth and success of the alumni association. I've always thought of it the way the Beach Boys did: "Be True to Your School"!
I can't speak for my good friend, COL Jean (John) F. B., but I'm fairly confident he feels the same way about his alma mater.
WAR EAGLE!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 10 at 2016 3:59 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 15:59:35 -0400

Unless you graduate from a very well known university or college, the range of influence of alumni groups isn't broad enough to matter. Waste of money IMO.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 4:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 16:36:27 -0400

Yes! I belong to three myself and they provide a lot of useful information. Plus it is easy to network simply through emailing individuals within your group. You can get connected to people all over the globe and you all share a quality that they know how to use.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 11 at 2016 12:00 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 00:00:36 -0400

I stayed away from them as their main priority was to stick their hand into my wallet. Long on greed, short on value. It takes longer to get dropped from their list than Publishers Clearing House.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2016 1:14 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 13:14:26 -0400

The reality is it's up to you. It's very similar to any social entity or college itself. It's what you put in or want to get out. So if you joined and had an intention of using the organization to network around the local university or obtain leads for employment, this might help. Personally, if you reached out to me and mentioned fellow Alumni looking for guidance, I'd probable respond. Some people join to give back. As we progress through life and acquire success it's great to provide motivation and earn a smile for a $1000 grant in honor of "xyz". Of to attend other events and refresh those great memories tied to the institution or organization. So bottom line, like anything in life it's what you make of it.