Business school alumni — especially Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates — often share similar academic experiences, including courses and case studies. Many specialized online MBA programs include shared core curricula. For instance, Lamar University offers numerous online MBA options, focusing on areas like business analytics, enterprise resource planning and marketing. While each concentration is specialized and unique, all of Lamar’s online MBA offerings share core courses.
This means that even MBA graduates from different concentration programs will gain common experiences, knowledge and skills. Students and recent graduates should take advantage of these shared experiences within their MBA alumni networks. Alumni can help each other locate jobs and develop businesses or give moral support during challenging periods.
MBA Alumni Network
Most universities host alumni events. To receive the full MBA experience, students and graduates should participate in these events and get to know other graduates. An MBA alumni network is a great place to find a mentor and further develop key traits for success in business, or simply to increase one’s circle of influence.
It is essential for businesspeople to develop networks with which they can exchange ideas and information. Even students who already have a job should build contacts outside their companies. This outside network can be helpful when MBAs are ready to pursue other opportunities or when a current project needs an outside perspective. MBAs who did not immediately connect to their MBA alumni network after graduation can still develop important connections by attending an alumni event and introducing themselves to other graduates.
Online MBA Program
Even with more and more students studying online, attending alumni events is still crucial; students in online programs should take opportunities to connect both virtually and in person when possible. Social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn make it easy to locate alumni from any university.
Graduates from an online MBA program can follow these easy steps to connect with their MBA alumni networks:
- Locate individuals via social media who attended the same university.
- Filter search results for those who earned the same degree.
- Locate people with similar or associated interests.
- Send messages with invitations to network.
- When possible, meet for coffee, lunch or happy hour, even if it’s only a virtual get-together.
An alumni network (online or in-person) can help graduates develop a circle of influence, locate mentors and find career opportunities. An MBA alumni network is one of the most helpful tools graduates have. In addition to networking via virtual channels, online MBA graduates should attend events hosted by their alma mater’s alumni programs when possible, maximizing the benefits alumni networks provide.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online MBA programs.
