The notion in the job-hunting world that it is not what you know but who you know is well-founded. In fact, U.S. News and World Report recently published a survey of job recruiters stating that 78% of the best candidates come by referrals. That vastly outstrips many of the most common ways people look for employment like social networks, direct applications, and internet job boards.
If creating a network of direct connections with people is the single most influential factor in finding work, then the America East Conference just did its participants a huge service. In a press release from last week, the nine member, Division I coalition announced the formation of a student-athlete alumni network. According to conference commissioner Amy Huchthausen, the goal for the network is to “provide opportunities and engage our student-athletes after graduation as they find success in a variety of areas” by allowing peers to connect.
Aside from the obvious benefits of such an association, the geographical region that is home to America East members makes this network all the more valuable. Comprised of schools that include members in the Washington D.C., New York City, and Boston metro areas, the America East sees many of its alumni stay in the conference’s footprint. Moreover, as centers of government and commerce, having a source of connections in these cities will prove invaluable to former student-athletes.
Furthermore, the student-athletes will not be the only ones to benefit from this initiative. As Marty Scarano, the A.D. at the University of New Hampshire notes, “This will provide a great benefit to current and prospective student-athletes across all nine schools,” indicating that member universities can use the student-athlete alumni network to help recruit coveted players. While this might not be as immediately enticing to a seventeen year old recruit as a particular brand of shoes or uniform, it will be appreciated long after his/her playing days are done, something that will be a strong sell with parents as well.
That this initiative is, according to the press release, “believed to be the first of its kind for a Division I conference” is curious considering the obvious benefits and relatively low maintenance such an entity requires in today’s world of online networks. Many jobs-hunters seek the competitive zeal and team-working abilities of former athletes, and having an outlet that allows fellow America East student-athletes to connect with one another should offer fantastic business opportunities for referrals and direct hires. Moreover, focusing solely on the professional element of such an organization belies the unique social opportunities one could imagine developing between old foes from the playing arena, gathering to relive memorable moments from a unique period of life.
The America East has done a considerable service both for its member universities as well as the student-athletes therein. The newly formed student-athlete alumni network will allow for better connections professionally and socially, between people with common bonds and desirable skillsets. Schools and conferences are often looking for opportunities to differentiate themselves; this type of initiative is the exact type of small-investment, principled endeavor for which athletic departments are looking. It is just a matter of time before other conferences follow suit and launch their own iterations of what America East has founded.
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