There is always more to getting a college education than just exams and grades. The pursuit of higher education is an opportunity to discover more about yourself and hopefully offers a glimpse into a future profession, but the classroom can only teach you so much. That is why the American University Alumni Association hosts several networking events annually in partnership with the Career Center and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Students who attend meet and connect with alumni excelling in their fields. Among these opportunities are the Multicultural Student-Alumni Career Connection, Being LGBTQ in the Workplace, and Alumni in the KNOW: Women in Leadership panels, all of which bring together students and alumni with shared identities to discuss the AU experience and career development. 

The Multicultural Student-Alumni Career Connection invites culturally diverse alumni panelists to share their work place experiences and provide valuable insight on best practices and advice on how to succeed in any profession. The panel addresses important themes and issues surrounding race and culture at work, as well as skills necessary for successful career growth. Recent AU graduate Nathan Bao, SIS/BA '17, says students can "expect a very diverse array of experiences and lessons from extraordinary panelists." 

Haley Samsel, SIS/BA '18, attended the 2017 Being LGBTQ in the Workplace career panel and networking event. She says, "students should expect to step out of their comfort zones and practice their networking skills. You meet people from a variety of fields, and even if the alumni or students are not in your field, you can definitely learn a lot from them." The Being LGBTQ in the Workplace panel discusses how sexual and gender identities are expressed, received, and restrained in the pursuit of living and working as one's authentic self. 

The Alumni in the KNOW: Women in Leadership event call upon distinguished alumnae of AU to share their experiences as leaders in their fields and the challenges and successes they encountered along their journey. Erin Kelly, SIS/MA '18, says, "I was inspired to learn from female Eagle leaders. It was enlightening to see the various diverse fields where AU alumnae had gone forth and conquered." 

Alumni are eager to give back to the AU community by sharing their work experiences and are known to give valuable career, resume, and work place tips at these and other events. We hope you will join us for this year's career panels! Visit the event page to learn more and to register.