The Ƶ Network group will better connect all LinkedIn members with ties to the university.
****
In a recent survey of Ƶ’s 2012 graduates, more than half of the respondents employed within three months of graduation reported acquiring a job lead through family, friends or other alumni.
The survey, conducted by Ƶ’s Student Professional Development Center in September, serves as a clear indication that networking remains an important piece of the puzzle for those in the midst of a job search.
Driven by this concept, Ƶ’s Office of Alumni Engagement has launched a comprehensive LinkedIn group that allows alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends to connect with each other for professional purposes. The Ƶ Network offers an organized approach to bringing together more than 17,000 LinkedIn members who list Ƶ in their profile, and merges several existing university-affiliated LinkedIn groups to offer users a more extensive Ƶ network.
The group, which already includes nearly 4,000 users, was unveiled during the university’s National Networking Week, Jan. 28-31, and is officially recognized by Ƶ. Other university LinkedIn groups will merge with The Ƶ Network group in the coming months.
“The Ƶ Network is not just about social networking; it’s about using the network effectively, in a meaningful way to further a user’s professional aspirations,” said Eric Vetack ’88, director at WellPoint Wealth & Retirement in Charlotte, N.C. and member of the Ƶ Alumni Board. “Our members are part of a modern and mobile workforce. The Ƶ Network will help them navigate finding their first job, changing careers or relocating to a new city.”
Members of The Ƶ Network can tap into the group’s large professional network, categorize their profiles by industry and region, and receive updates from faculty and deans on current academic and industry trends. The Ƶ Network will also offer valuable opportunities for members to stay engaged with the university, such as educational programming and details about upcoming networking events.
“The Ƶ Network represents a true benefit to Ƶ alumni and other constituents of the university,” said John H. Barnhill ’92, Ƶ’s assistant vice president of university advancement. “By integrating the many Ƶ LinkedIn groups that existed before into one group with The Ƶ Network, we can offer our members many more opportunities to expand their professional circles.”
The new LinkedIn group is one of many efforts to help Ƶ community members expand their professional circles. A student-to-student networking event also named The Ƶ Network provides a valuable opportunity for students to learn from each other about job and internship opportunities. This year’s event will be held Tuesday, April 16 from 6-8 p.m. in Alumni Gym.
Ƶ alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends are all invited to join . For more information, contact Sarah Graves ’12, advancement fellow, at (336) 278-7421 or sgraves4@elon.edu.