Networking Event Prepares Students for Life after Trent
Alumni share tips for success after graduation
Get involved with the Trent and local communities early on during your University experience – this was a key message from alumni to students attending Life After Trent: Networking, two networking events in November supported by the Alumni Affairs Office and the Office of Student Transitions and Careers, and aimed at providing current students the opportunity to meet and chat with recent alumni.
Be resilient. Take advantage of developing personal relationships with the incredible faculty at Trent. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Network, network, network. These were all common themes shared by the alumni in attendance who were eager to share their experiences and what they’ve learned since graduating. The first of two evening events featured alumni with a BA or BBA degree and the second evening targeted graduates with a BSc, BScFS, or BESS. At both events, the alumni shared how their Trent degree has helped them find success, even if the path they took wasn’t what they had originally planned.
“The interdisciplinary nature of many of the courses I took as part of my degree were helpful in preparing me for graduate studies and my current job as a planner at the City of Whitby,” said Kristy Kilbourne ’09, who received her BA in Environmental and Resource Studies at Trent and then went on to complete her master’s in Environmental Studies. “Being able to get exposure to different fields of study during my time at Trent also gave me insight into areas I was both interested and not interested in, which was helpful in self-discovery and guidance in terms of pursuing further study or employment opportunities.”
“Try new things even if it makes you nervous, nerves are a very good thing. As an alumni, it is so important to come back and contribute, in any means possible, to assist in directly impacting the success of Trent students,” said Jon Lockyer ’08, director of Artspace in Peterborough.
“This event is so important to help students with their networking skills, a vital skill they should be utilizing throughout their time at Trent and as students pursue their life after Trent,” said Brittney Blake, coordinator of Employer and Recruiter Relations at Trent University, and one of the organizers of the event.
The Life After Trent Series includes a number of different alumni-student mentoring and networking opportunities, including: the Connections Program (alumni-student mentoring); Career networking events; Alumni-in-Residence; Alumni Lecture; and Alumni-Student Art Show. Next up in series is the Mentoring Program, which will launch in mid-December.