By Dane Gibson
On Friday (March 11), Vancouver Island University alumni are returning to the university to share their knowledge and skills with current and potential students.
It’s all part of the alumni showcase being put on by the university’s alumni association to support current students by providing them with an opportunity to meet with and ask questions of successful VIU alumni.
This is the first year VIU’s alumni association is offering this free event, which includes a showcase of the many types of businesses VIU alumni are involved with, as well as two professional development workshops, a networking event and a speaker panel that will discuss the topic of entrepreneurship.
“The alumni association wanted to create an event that gives back to the VIU community and we felt it would be valuable to current and future students to have the opportunity to network with successful VIU alumni,” said alumni association vice-president, Erin Brook, owner of Brook Law.
The event will provide an opportunity for current and potential students to meet with alumni in the business community at a tradeshow-style showcase, which will run from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the VIU cafeteria. Alumni representing various industries, such as communications, accounting, law, trades, insurance, financial services, radio and hospitality will share how their studies led them to their current careers.
It’s an opportunity for high school and university students to ask these professionals about their careers and the industries they are involved with, with the goal of supporting students in making their own career choices.
Students can also attend two free professional development workshops: Your Personal Brand, from 11 a.m. to noon will clarify how to impress future employers; and Your Digital Footprint, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., will reveal how a digital footprint can make or break an online reputation. The day continues with a free networking event at 4 p.m., followed by a moderated panel discussion about entrepreneurship with local business professionals Paris Gaudet of Innovation Island, Bill Yoachim of Kw’umut Lelum, Allan Wiekenkamp of Sum Consulting and Alison Donaghey of Sonshine Girls Painting.
“The alumni have been so good about donating their time and expertise,” said Brook. “I hope current and potential students take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.”
Dane Gibson is a writer with VIU’s communications department.