Network with Alumni
As a St Andrews student, you are part of the strong St Andrews community which continues for many years after you have graduated. Most alumni are happy to assist current students and other alumni with their career research and job hunting.
Alumni can help you:
- find out more about a particular career
- give you tips on the type of work experience that would help get into a particular sector
- put you in touch with valuable contacts
- give you feedback on your CV or application
- offer you an opportunity such as work shadowing or an internship – this should not be requested but wait until suggested by the alumni
What to say – here is an example of text to use when writing to your first contact:
My name is Sara Smith and I’m a third year student at the University of St Andrews studying Modern History. I am seriously considering applying to the Civil Service Fast Stream next autumn and I see from the University’s Careers Alumni Network that you joined the Fast Stream with a Mediaeval History degree in 2008. I am really interested to find out about your experience so far; what kinds of things you do on a daily basis; and any advice you can give me which will help improve my chances of success with my application. I very much look forward to hearing from you - many thanks in advance for your time.
How to contact alumni
There are two main ways to contact alumni on-line:
- LinkedIn – A former alumni has set up the University of St Andrews Alumni LinkedIn group which you should join first then join the subgroup University of St Andrews Alumni – Mentorship Programme which allows you to connect with alumni who have put themselves forward as mentors. Check LinkedIn for more information on how to get started.
- Careers Alumni Network- a group of alumni and friends of the University who have volunteered to advise current students.