The Department of Communication welcomed nine alumni back to the 14th floor on the evening of Nov 18 for an Alumni Networking “Pop-Up” Event designed to connect students and recent graduates in a relaxed, conversational setting. The goal was to make networking less intimidating and show how a communication degree can open doors to diverse careers.
The alumni– Livia Paoletti, Maya Santana, Olivia Golden, Zharia White, Morgan Weaver, Delany Lindberg, Emma Chung, Kimberly Rooney, and Jason Earle – represented a multitude of communication related fields. Their stories gave students a clearer sense of the many directions a Pitt Communication degree can lead.
Behind the scenes, the event was coordinated by Liz Langer, the Events Coordinator Intern for COMMRC Connect, the Department’s semesterly student internship program. For Langer, this first major event was a milestone.
“Seeing this event finally come to life was very rewarding. Getting the chance to see your ideas and your hard work pay off was truly a feeling like no other,” Langer said.
One highlight of the evening was the “networking bingo board,” a tool designed to help students ease into conversations with alumni by offering playful questions and prompts. Langer noted that this interactive format lowered the pressure often associated with networking.
“Starting a conversation can be very challenging,” Langer said. “Being able to provide a guide was really a big help in contributing to our event’s success.”
In addition to conversation and career insight, students also enjoyed St. James Iced Tea, thanks to a sponsorship secured by Maya Rigler, the Department Outreach Intern. Rigler said landing the partnership was a proud moment.
“Seeing different pieces like the sponsorship, outreach to alumni, and guided questions come together and watching everyone enjoy themselves was really fulfilling.”
As the night wrapped up, students left with new connections and fresh insights into how their communication skills can shape their futures. For the COMMRC Connect interns who planned the event, watching students, alumni, and community partners come together was a rewarding affirmation of the impact their work can have.