Having a strong alumni network opens doors and creates new pathways in ways nothing else can - 98% of Fortune 500 companies have some form of an alumni program for a reason. Knowing the right people often can be more important than simply knowing the right things. Staying in contact with established professionals makes opportunities for both employees and employers.

For employees, these professionals have insightful advice on obtaining promotions and making career changes effectively. Employers can also utilize this kind of networking to find the perfect candidate for their company and can sometimes even gain access to exclusive job postings, resume reviews, and other free resources. 

Alumni networks are also very powerful in bringing in new customers and investors. Consumers often value the opinion of those who have previously worked at a company. Alumni as brand advocates getting your brand more reach can be worth 5 times more than the average consumer and an engaged alumni delivers a 10% increase in brand sentiment. Some businesses that are active with alumni are seeing a 44% increase in net new business.

Keeping connected with alumni can also bring them in as investors for startups. Investors are more likely to invest in startups created by founders from their alma mater - a study of VC investments over a 19 year period found that 1 in 3 investors attended the same college or university as the founder.

Learn more about staying connected with alumni and creating a thriving, engaged influence network here.

Infographic provided by: AcademicInfluence.com