Conversation will be lively and the business cards will be traded at the upcoming Student Alumni Association Networking Dinner. Students and alumni will join together for a catered dinner at 6 p.m. in Parents Hall on Nov. 8.
Students will be grouped with professionals according to major. Topics of conversation will be in no short supply with talk about jobs and internship opportunities, the Des Moines metro area and Drake commonalities.
Senior Nick Downey, the SAA vice president of special events, said the dinner works to provide a more personal setting between students and alumni.
“This event has gone on now for a couple of years; this year, though, we are going to be matching alumni and students together based on what the alumni’s profession is and what the student’s major or field is,” Downey said. “By doing this, the dinner will become more beneficial for both groups.
“At the dinner, students will be able to develop a better relationship with alumni in their field or profession than just having a quick networking session where they may meet a good amount of different alumni, but never really get the chance to build a relationship with them,” Downey added.
There will be an estimated 20 alumni in attendance. Professionals in attendance will include members of the national and regional Drake alumni boards.
The event is open to all students and priority seating will be given to RSVPs. SAA members can attend for free and non-members can attend for $5. Register to reserve a dinner spot at http://www.alumni.drake.edu.
Dress for the event is business casual and business cards are encouraged.
SAA is operated out of the Kline Alumni and Development Center and is an organization that focuses on creating connections between students and alumni. The group offers a number of annual events. SAA will also sponsor the Senior Etiquette Dinner on Nov. 6.
Six student alumni ambassadors and two non-voting members run SAA.
Students interested in joining SAA for perks, leadership opportunities and events may do so online at http://alumni.drake.edu.
Annual membership fees are $25 and a lifetime membership is $90.
