Boston University alumni replaced business with pleasure by speed networking instead of speed dating last night at the posh Hotel Commonwealth.
About 75 members of the College of Arts and Sciences Young Alumni Committee drank cocktails and split into groups of four, networking for six minutes at a time until a proctor told everyone to switch tables.
“The YAC is a group that currently focuses on CAS and recent graduates,” YAC President Aaron MacDanial said. “We plan plenty of events that primarily focus on giving alumni a chance for social relationships, networking and professional relationships.”
While CAS students are the only target audience, the group is in the process of including all of BU’s colleges to better accommodate students, Alumni Relations Associate Director Roger Fussa said.
“Put nicely, the world today is a different world now than it was a generation or two ago” Fussa said. “People change jobs more than they used to, and this is a notably large way to keep learning and build a network of contacts.”
Danielle Morfi, a 2002 College of Communication alumna, said she thought the event was beneficial for social and business reasons.
“I’m in advertising, and it’s a small community where everyone knows everybody, and you network without knowing it,” Morfi said. “I thought, why not expand? You can never know too many people.”
“I’m looking to meet new people and maybe spread word about my own company,” Morfi said. “It’s self help to see who comes out here.”
Erik Wood, a 2003 College of Engineering alumnus, emphasized the importance of business in networking.
“I’m in business development for eCommerce, and we’re always looking for potential clients and even people to bring onto our team,” Wood said. “It’s all about who you know.”
Fussa also discussed the importance of current BU students realizing they have an opportunity to network and participate in events after graduation.
“You, as a student, will be alumni soon,” said Fussa. “Hopefully people will realize they’ve come from people who’ve given to them, and they’ll contribute the same way when they’re finished with school.”
“Our job is to support the alumni committee,” Fussa said. “What the office really wants to do is be as vocal as possible about their ideas to bring students together and hold events.”
