The Value of Networking: LSU Tiger Network Puts Students in Touch With Alumni

May 9, 2007 — When Brad Golson was tapped to serve as LSU Student Government president for 2004-05, he did not know that he would soon be immersed in government on a national level. As associate manager of education and outreach for Partnership Public Service in Washington, D.C., Golson works to inform young Americans about career opportunities in federal public service.

“I came across my current employer through informational interviews with LSU staff members who had worked in the private and public sectors. One led me to a job announcement that seemed like a perfect fit. After an informational call, I applied and was offered the job.

I never realized the potential power of an informational interview,” he said.

Golson’s experience mirrors that of many other new graduates who have found jobs through networking, a process that often starts with an informational interview. Golson credits LSU Career Services with teaching him how to conduct a job search, specifically how to tap into his personal networks to identify career opportunities.

Career Services is charged with instilling lifelong career planning skills so that job transitions are seamless ones that align with students’ personal goals. Students are guided through the processes of making career decisions; identifying and securing field-related work experiences; learning how to compose job and graduate/professional school correspondence; and preparing for the job search.

For Golson, skills learned at Career Services continue to have an impact.

“My discussions with career services staff members taught me how to put my best foot forward through my résumé and interviews. Initial conversations helped me uncover the many ways to approach the job search process, and that’s still helping me today,” Goldson said.

Getting Connected

LSU Tiger Network facilitates networking by pairing current students with alumni and supporters of LSU. The free, online mentoring system allows students to connect with professionals for advice about occupations, regions, employment and graduate/professional school. Mentors determine their level of involvement, which may range from responding to occasional e-mails to allowing a student to conduct a one-day job shadow.

“There is a huge gap between college and the real world, and I thought having someone to discuss that with would be beneficial. Tiger Network put me in contact with a young engineer who graduated from LSU six years prior to me. He actually worked for the company I was planning on interning with the upcoming summer,” said Mitzi Orkus, a May 2006 graduate who is now an asset operations engineer for Merit Energy Company in Dallas, Texas.

Another aid to Orkus’ career development was her participation in LSU’s On-Campus Interviewing Program. This 10-week program, hosted each fall and spring, brings to campus hundreds of recruiters who interview students in all fields for internship, co-op, part-time and full-time positions.

“The first time I used On-Campus Interviewing was my freshman year. I knew that I wanted an internship to gain experience and help pay for school, but I didn't know how to get in touch with companies that would be interested in hiring a freshman with no experience,” Orkus said.

The On-Campus Interviewing Program eliminated the guesswork, helping Orkus to easily match herself with internships in her field.

“Through the on-campus interviewing process, I was hired by Chevron for my first internship. Every year I went through the same process, and every year I got a job. I had great jobs every summer that paid for college and my living expenses every year, and I gained experience that made me attractive to employers as a full-time candidate. I received a full-time offer before my senior year began,” Orkus said.

Ultimately, the strength of a university’s academic and student life offerings are most evident in the success of its graduates.

To support LSU students as a Tiger Network mentor, or to learn about opportunities to recruit LSU students, visit Career Services online at www.lsu.edu/career.

Forever LSU thanks you for your continued financial support of our students, faculty and programs. Our goal is to raise $750 million by 2010. Please visit www.foreverlsu.org for more information on how we're progressing and how every Tiger can help.

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Michelle Spielman
LSU Office of Public Affairs