The Office of Career Services partnered with the Elizabethtown College Alumni Association to launch a new platform for virtual networking: EtownConnect. It is similar to services like that of LinkedIn and Handshake, except it only connects students to the Elizabethtown College community. Through the service, students can learn more about the job search process and their prospective career choices in their field.
The platform was first announced on Sept. 8. Through the platform, students can search for and reach out to the College’s alumni and associates to gain perspectives on professional development, job industries, employment search and more.
The EtownConnect platform allows students to network with the College’s alumni and its associates, thereby gaining more knowledge about the job search process and any other questions students may have about their potential field. Students simply reach out to alumni or associates using the email provided on EtownConnect.
22 connections between students and alumni have been made, as noted by the Director of the Office of Career Services Jane Nini. Approximately 200 alumni have accounts on EtownConnect.
“It has allowed me to have an alumni base I wouldn’t have normally had access to,” said senior I international business and German major Lauren Moyer.
Moyer also noted how alumni don’t always come on campus, so EtownConnect provides an opportunity to connect with them.
By using the EtownConnect program, Moyer sent out six messages, which she noted was relatively easy to do. Since joining the program and reaching out to them, Moyer heard from five of the six individuals. Moyer also noted how she could tell alumni were looking to connect with students as they took the time to create accounts on EtownConnect.
In comparison to LinkedIn and Handshake, Moyer also noted how she found EtownConnect more helpful for students hoping to network, as people on EtownConnect want to make connections.
“I know alumni want to connect with students,” Moyer said.
Connections may be willing to assist with preparing for interviews via mock interviews, reviewing resumes and providing information on career paths and career fields. Additionally, connections can provide tips on job and/or internship searches in regard to a particular career field or geographic location and information on employers and the job application process, as well as assist in networking referrals to other alumni and contacts who can provide additional information.
In the announcement, the College said, “We encourage you to utilize the Blue Jay Family as a resource as our alumni are a diverse and experienced group ready to help you succeed in your career.”
Students can utilize the EtownConnect program via JayWeb. Once on the program, students have to log in and customize their search to match their career interests, then select the connections they’d like to make and provide some information about themselves. After that, students are ready to connect with alumni and the College’s associates.
In regard to the ability to use it, Moyer said, “I thought it was really easy. I saw the link from Career Services and found it pretty easy to use.” Moyer noted how it’s connected to JayWeb, so creating an account is a simple process.
Nini notes how EtownConnect can help students to network in light of COVID-19 restrictions.
“A system like EtownConnect enables students to make personal connections with Etown alumni who are eager to help,” said Nini. “There are no geographic limitations to reaching out to alumni in an online system.” She also noted how alumni are “already excited about contributing to a student’s career development” as they desire to share their knowledge with students.
