How to Give Back to Your Alma Matter as an Alum

 

William Montgomery Cerf is known for his interest in outdoor exploration and activities such as canoeing, but he is also regarded for his strong commitment to his alma matters Cornell University, the London School of Economics, and Yale University School of Management. Mr. Cerf maintains strong ties with Montclair State University as well, living nearby in Montclair, NJ for decades, teaching at the institution, and becoming involved at the university as a matter of community service. Monty’s dedication to universities emphasizes the importance of individuals giving back to colleges that have done much for their personal and professional development.

Monty Cerf realizes that many new alum want to know some of the ways that they can give back to their alma matters and colleges located in within their communities. Here, he provides a bit of information on why you may want to give back as well as a few of the most impactful ways that you can do so.

Why Give Back?

There are multiple reasons why giving back is a rewarding experience for alumni, and it will always be more beneficial for both you and others if you realize what your individual reasons are. For example, many alumni give back because they want to set the next generation of students up for success. Still, there are plenty of other reasons why giving back to your alma matter can be worthwhile. Giving can help you stay connected to your old school’s community, can help support the staff that works so hard to keep things in order, and can even be a method for keeping yourself up to date on the cutting-edge insights and methods in your field of expertise.  Many of us hold the misconception that giving back must mean money, but William Montgomery Cerf notes that there are plenty of other ways to give back as well.

Become a Mentor or Career Coach

Volunteering as a mentor or career coach for current students is a very rewarding way to give back to your alma matter. William Montgomery Cerf realizes that there are many different things that an alum with experience can help a younger student. For example, alum can help guide students through the process of starting their career, learning the ins and outs of the job market, and how to successfully present themselves as working professionals. One of the best parts about becoming a mentor for students is that it is mutually beneficial even if the goal is to help others. While mentees get critical advice that can help them launch their careers, mentors get to brush up on what they are teaching and can establish connections with the next generation of students.

Be a Guest Speaker

 

Alumni often believe that the only way to contribute to lessons is in the driver’s seat as either a professor or adjunct, but there are also additional ways that you can provide support for students and staff on that front.  Monty Cerf acknowledges that many classes need guest speakers, and alum that feel as though they have information that could be useful for lessons can volunteer. If you feel as though you may have useful insights to offer and still have connections to your former professors and others in your department of expertise, consider reaching out to ask them if they could use a guest speaker for their upcoming semester. There is a chance that they are looking for an expert on a topic to speak but did not have anyone available for the support.

Attend, Help Organize or Run Alumni Events

Chances are, there are already events at your alma matter that alumni can join in on. Homecoming, for example, is a fixture in almost all colleges that allows alumni to come back to see their old friends, reminisce about their time at school, and view a football game with friends and family. Remember that there are likely other events that you can attend at your alma matter as well. Monty Cerf speaks to how many different events that allow alumni to contribute often need additional support and getting more involved in alumni opportunities increases your awareness of even more events that the school is planning. If you are interested in getting more involved in alumni events, check your alma matter’s resources for information on what is coming up next. These events may need organizers and people to help run them- and you may be just the right person.