The University of Chicago Alumni Association

"I met so many other volunteers who care about giving back to the University as much as I do. This enthusiasm definitely gave me the charge to keep volunteering."

Mehvish Rahman, AB'95

Volunteer training and support
Alumni volunteers are one of the University's most valuable resources. Staff members are readily available to provide volunteers with the tools and advice they need to achieve their goal, whether it be planning a class reunion, recruiting students, organizing club activities, or mentoring fellow alumni on their careers.

In addition, there are regular training sessions, handbooks and guidelines (both in print and online), online discussion groups where volunteers can compare notes and pass on tips for success, and recognition for jobs well done. Alumni Club volunteers can refer to the Alumni Club Toolkit for resources to help them with volunteer recruitment, event planning and promotion, and club management and reporting.

"So personally fulfilling to see younger people benefit from my experiences and…a rare opportunity to give back to the College in a form other than a monetary donation."

Alumnus at a career networking session

Alumni Careers Network
alumnicareers.uchicago.edu
Do you love what you do? Would you like to share your insight and experiences with students and alumni seeking knowledge about your professional field?

Then volunteer as a Career Contact in the Alumni Careers Network, a searchable database of more than 15,000 alumni who have volunteered to provide informational interviews to students and alumni. Serving as a career contact does not require much time, but by doing so you can be very helpful to the U of C community. Students and alumni often report that the most important career advice they receive is from U of C alumni-an invaluable resource.

"I have met some of the most interesting people through my alumni club. They are always up for an intellectual discussion. So get involved--you won't regret it."

Sherrie Negrea, AB'82

Alumni Club Volunteers
Your local alumni club is always looking for new volunteers to help create, plan, and staff events across the country and around the world. Programs range from faculty visits to community service events and special summer send-offs for new and returning students. Young alumni organize events of interest to them and their peers, such as informal happy hours and career networking events. Clubs in metropolitan areas have also organized alumni networks to support students in their community. In Chicago, New York, and Washington, CC, alumni have coordinated summer internships and programming designed to introduce students to the working world and possible career paths.

Alumni Club volunteers can refer to the Alumni Club Toolkit for resources to help them with volunteer recruitment, event planning and promotion, and club management and reporting.

To volunteer, get in touch with your local club president or community contact. If there isn't a contact in your area, call Regional Activities at 773/702-2157 or 800/955-0065.

"The best feeling comes from helping to match the "right" students with the unique U of C environment and then knowing that they are flourishing there."

Rob Boland, AB'83, MBA'87

Alumni Schools Committee
Alumni Schools Committee (ASC) volunteers spread the word about the U of C at local college fairs, informal receptions, and in off-campus interviews with prospective students. The alumni interview is often the only face-to-face conversation that the applicant has with someone who has actually experienced life in the College, and this conversation is often instrumental in the student's decision to enroll. Volunteering does not take much time (about fifteen hours per year) but it can make a big difference in prospective students' understanding of the University.

"My 5th year reunion party and weekend was an absolute ball. The planning for the event was equally fun and took on a life of its own."

Heather Ferguson, AB'91, AM'95

Reunion
The success of reunion greatly depends on our reunion class volunteers. Whether you’re an experienced volunteer or you’re thinking about volunteering for the first time, we’d love to hear from you! It makes no difference where you live or what your talents are; there’s something for everyone. If you’re a good host, you can help plan the class event; if you’re an advertising guru, you can help spread the word and encourage classmates to attend; if you have a knack for persuasion, you can help raise the class gift.

Classes ending in “3” or “8” and the Class of 2007 will return to campus June 5-8, and planning has already begun. Call 773/702-2150 or 800/955-0065 or e-mail alumniweekend@uchicago.edu to join your reunion committee.

Student activities
Campus life continues to thrive in the same quirky, clever, generally off-beat way that Chicago students and alumni take pride in cultivating. For a list of student activities and events check www-studentactivities.uchicago.edu.

To reconnect with a student group or learn more about plans to enhance student services, call 773/702-5226 or e-mail w-michel@uchicago.edu.

"Whenever you need inspiration, simply think about the positive impact of a U of C education had on your life and what a difference it will make on other young minds."

Stephanie Rada-Zocco, AB'88

Student-Alumni Programs
The Alumni Office works to make campus life a positive experience for students as it helps to prepare them for life after graduation. There are a variety of programs and celebrations for students at different points in their U of C career. Many of these events bring students together with alumni to discuss careers and explore general issues of life after college.

To volunteer to meet with students or host events in your home, call 773/702-2158 or 800/955-0065 or e-mail alumni-gateway@uchicago.edu.

Student internships
Do you have a special project in mind but no time to do it? Does your firm routinely hire college students as summer interns? Would you like to hear first-hand about life at the U of C today? If the answer is Yes! then we invite you to hire a Chicago undergraduate as an intern. They're smart and inquisitive, bringing their Chicago training to bear on the job at hand--just like you do.

We’re always looking for experienced interviewers to help screen students for internships. You do not have to provide an internship to interview a student. To find out more about creating an internship and/or interviewing students, call 773/702-7040.