Building connections is one of the best ways to research careers, gain insight from real experiences, and discover possibilities. This page is everything you need to get organized to network, to have career conversations (informational interviews), and to learn from & connect with alumni and other professionals. Plan for making connections using the step-by-step guide below, or complete the Career Conversations Module in the Career Connection Toolkit.
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Find Alumni ~ Career Conversations ~ What To Ask ~ How To Reach Out (Templates)
Why Networking Matters
Did you know that as many as 80% of jobs are found through networking connections and approximately 75% of job openings never hit the job boards? The “hidden job market” is more than having personal connections, it’s also about discovering unanticipated roles you find deep within an organization.
Networking enables you to:
- Learn about jobs, companies, and industries
- Find internships and summer jobs
- Focus on your interests & strengths
- Practice for interviews
- Develop a team of mentors and advocates to support you
Where to Start
Whether you’re just beginning to think about careers or you already have some direction, networking and career conversations can meet you where you are.
If you’re just beginning… Start with curiosity. Ask questions, pay attention to what excites you, and try a career conversation to learn from someone else’s path.
If you’re organizing your experiences… Try drafting a resume or pulling highlights into a basic LinkedIn profile. These tools can help you reflect on what you’ve done so far and make it easier to introduce yourself.
If you’re ready to connect… Set a small, low-pressure goal. Maybe your goal is sending sending one outreach message this week, attending a CCPD event, or joining KConnect?
No matter where you are…
- Set a low-pressure goal: send one outreach message this week, or attend a CCPD event. Small steps add up.
- Lean on your circles. Your network includes family, friends, supervisors, classmates, teachers/professors, CCPD staff, and K alumni.
Remember: Networking is about about asking good questions, listening, and being curious. You don’t have to have it all figured out.
KConnect & LinkedIn: Learn, Build, and Find Alumni
Start with KConnect, Kalamazoo College’s alumni-student networking platform. It’s designed just for you:
- Browse alumni by industry, location, or interests.
- Reach out to alumni who have already raised their hand to support students.
- Join Hornet Huddles and other alumni-student events directly through the platform.
Then expand your reach with LinkedIn:
- Watch Learn LinkedIn in <2 minutes and use the LinkedIn Profile Checklist to build a strong profile.
- Build your connections: Start with people you already know (family/friends, classmates, supervisors, professors, CCPD staff you’ve met).
- Find alumni doing cool things: Use LinkedIn’s Alumni Tool (no Premium needed) to filter by location, industry, job title, or major. If you find someone you’d like to reach out to but don’t see contact information, search for them in the Kalamazoo College Alumni Directory.
“I’ve connected with various alumni via LinkedIn who helped with tailoring my resume and gave me insights into job prospects. It was especially helpful to talk through my decision to work for a while before going to graduate school.” — Psychology major
Career Conversations (Informational Interviews)
A career conversation is a short, focused chat with a professional to learn about their path, role, and field. The goal is information and insight— not asking for a job.
What you might learn
- Day-to-day tasks
- Workplace culture
- Common career paths
- Skills that matter
- How to prepare
- Whether a field, role, or city feels like a good fit for you
Finding people to talk to
- Start with your network: friends, family, classmates, neighbors, faculty, staff, supervisors, alumni
- Ask for introductions: “Is there someone you recommend I meet?”
- Explore KConnect, K’s alumni-student networking platform, to connect directly with alumni who are ready to support you
- Search on LinkedIn (including the Alumni Tool) and the K Alumni Directory
- Consider K faculty/staff who’ve worked in the field
Setting it up
- Reach out via KConnect, email or LinkedIn message. Offer a 15–20 minute phone or Zoom chat (or coffee if local).
- Confirm date, time, and location; re-confirm 24 hours in advance.
Prepare (Before)
- Read their KConnect/LinkedIn profile/bio; jot 5–8 tailored questions
- Plan your brief intro (major, interests, what you’re exploring)
- Be on time and present yourself professionally (video or in-person)
During
- Thank them, keep an eye on time, and take notes
- Ask if you may follow up and who else to talk to
After
- Send a thank-you (email/digital is fine) within 24 hours
- Set a reminder to share an update later (people like to hear how you used their advice)
Want more step-by-step guidance? Explore the Career Conversations Module on Moodle for practice activities, templates, and tips.
What to Ask (Customize to the person/industry)
- How did you build your career in this field? What drew you to it and keeps you here?
- What does success look like in your role? What skills matter most for interns/new grads?
- What do you like most/least about your job? What is a typical day like?
- How important is my major for this path? What experiences would make me more marketable?
- What does the future of this industry look like? What roles should I also consider?
- How should I prepare for interviews in your sector? Any salary/benefits negotiation tips?
- What professional associations or communities would you recommend?
- Who else do you recommend I connect with?
If you’re exploring a new city
- Is this a good city for this industry? What neighborhoods or housing tips do you have?
- What do you love (and not love) about living there? How did you build community?
If you’re considering grad school
- Should I go now or work first? Pros/cons and funding models for your field?
- Which programs did you consider and why? Where do graduates typically land?
- Biggest challenges and tips for balancing school with other responsibilities?
If you’re speaking with an entrepreneur
- What sparked your venture? How did you get your first customers?
- What’s one thing you wish you knew at my stage? Most rewarding win? Biggest failure?
- May I share a 5-minute overview of my idea for feedback on X and Y?
How to Reach Out (Templates)
Important: Don’t ask for a job in your first message. Keep it short, friendly, and specific.
Subject line ideas
- Career advice from a K student (’26)
- K College student interested in [marketing/biotech/data]
- Kalamazoo College connection — quick question
First message template
Hi [Name], my name is [Your Name], and I’m a [year/major] at Kalamazoo College. I noticed your experience in [field/role/company], and I’d love to learn more. Would you have 20 minutes for a quick call?
If so, I’m especially curious about:
- [Topic 1] (e.g., skills you recommend for an internship)
- [Topic 2] (e.g., what entry-level roles look like in your team)
- [Topic 3] (e.g., others you’d suggest I meet)
Thank you for considering it—happy to work around your schedule.
[Your Name]
[LinkedIn URL] | [Email]
Job shadow inquiry (sample)
Hi [Name], I’m reaching out because [reason/context]. I’d value a short call to learn about your background and explore a possible job shadow during the week of [dates] at [organization]. My goals are to understand:
- How my education and skills map to this field
- Typical day-to-day tasks and current challenges/opportunities
- Whether this path is a good fit for me
If a shadow seems like a fit and you’re available, I can arrange my own travel and housing. Thanks for your time and consideration.
[Your Name]
[LinkedIn URL] | [Email]
Alumni Connections at K
- Attend CCPD networking receptions and Hornet Huddles (fast, friendly career conversations).
- Explore KConnect, K’s alumni-student networking platform, to connect directly with alumni who are ready to support you.
- Join the Kalamazoo College Alumni Association on LinkedIn and use the Alumni Tool.
- Work with a Career Coach to identify alumni, request a warm introduction, and prep your questions.
Quick Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- Personalize every message and propose 3–5 specific talking points
- Keep it short; your LinkedIn profile can share more details
- Send a thank-you within 24 hours
Don’t
- Ask for a job in your first message
- Mass-message the same script to multiple people
Next Steps & CCPD Resources
- Career Studio: Drop in for resume/LinkedIn help and outreach drafts
- KConnect: Visit KConnect to explore alumni who want to help K students
- Career Coaching: Strategy, alumni targeting, warm introductions
- Hornet Huddles: 20-minute conversations that can change your path (look for these events posted in Handshake)
- Career Conversations Module: More step-by-step guidance on Moodle for practice activities, templates, and tips
If you want help choosing contacts or polishing messages, stop by the Career Studio. We’re happy to help!