Connect with alumni
Find inspiration through conversation! The Careers Centre has teamed up with Development to bring you Coffee Connect.
Coffee Connect has been the most effective joint alumni and student initiative of 2020-2021, with large numbers of students taking part to have ‘a relaxed chat over a virtual coffee’ about possible career paths and experiences after university.
We know it wasn’t easy to connect during the pandemic; in fact, it was near impossible to connect in the way you were used to before. Coffee Connect was started as a way of allowing you to grow your network with alumni and make connections for life. The pilot was launched in Summer 2020 and has gone from strength to strength, with not only students connecting to alumni, but alumni connecting to alumni. This is wonderful, and the conversations and connections have not stopped!
Over 750 applications – alumni and students in the first round – means that Coffee Connect has become a permanent programme running once a semester, and we have now had over 2100 people connect. But we want more…
How to apply
It’s simple – you complete an application form which asks what you are studying and some general interests to then find the best possible match. All mentoring relationships are made through Saint Connect, which is St Andrews’ global, online community for students, alumni and friends of the University – you then have a month to reach out and enjoy a relaxed virtual coffee.
Your peers have told us…
“This was an excellent experience that I’ve found incredibly useful.”
“My meeting was great! We had lots in common and I felt like whoever matched us did an excellent job.”
“Great experience so far, my mentor is a great match based on the preferences I put in.”
We’ll take the stress out of networking by making the connection for you – matching you with friendly and experienced alumni for a virtual coffee.
This is just the beginning – there’s no science behind making a connection who will have all the answers to your questions or be able to offer you an opportunity straight away. Be sure to reflect on your Coffee Connect chat, use Saint Connect to grow your network and reach out to us by emailing [email protected] if you are looking for help!
Apply to Coffee Connect today – closing date Monday 21 March.