“Alumnifire takes LinkedIn a step further,” according to Patricia Driscoll, B.M. 1997, a human resources executive. She traveled to the University from Baltimore on a Wednesday night to network with students. The launch event for Alumnifire, a new online networking resource sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations and the Center for Academic and Career Success, was held Feb. 13 in Caldwell Auditorium. Students turned out with their polished resumes and alumni, in turn, came ready to share business cards and their best career advice.
Chris Muha, B.S.B.A. 2010, told students, “If you don’t get a job, it doesn’t mean something won’t come up at the same employer later. Stay connected. Any interview can lead to different opportunities.” Muha, who majored in marketing, is senior advisor at NFP.
The auditorium was set up with round tables labeled by field, such as marketing, law, insurance, nonprofits, hospitality, finance, government relations, architecture, and engineering. Computer stations allowed alumni and students to sign up for Alumnifire, which at the time of the February event had more than 500 users.
Alexander Santana, a member of the Class of 2020 and a double major in history and politics, was headed to the law table. “This is a great opportunity,” he said. “Because all the professionals here are part of the Catholic University community, it doesn’t feel intimidating.”
Driscoll, who has worked in HR for 20 years, said today’s job seekers have to “be very good at getting noticed in the digital world. That’s why I’m so excited about Alumnifire. It doesn’t matter what age group, background, or degree, the Catholic University connection immediately opens doors.”
Chris Kearney, B.S.B.A 2013, said the number-one question he got from students at the event was “How did you get started?”
An All American center for the Cardinals basketball team, Kearney played professional basketball in Spain for a year. “I had a blast and was ready to sign for a second year when a great business opportunity came my way.” Kearney is a residential mortgage lender. “I love that my job is 24/7. I’m an all-in person.” Kearney, who played on the Cardinals’ Landmark Championship team his senior year, said he came out for the Alumnifire event because “I love being part of a team. We’re all Cardinals. I had just as much fun offering advice to students as I did reconnecting and networking with alumni.”
Madeline Breithaupt, a Class of 2020 economics major, said “The alumni I met were so nice. They all encouraged us to follow up with them. And it was fun asking them about their time as students here.”
Registration for the free program takes just minutes using an email address or a LinkedIn or Facebook profile. For more information, visit catholic.alumnifire.com.
