More about the L&C Network

The L&C Network is a network of parents and alumni who have volunteered to act as career advisors to Lewis & Clark students and alumni. It was established in 1984 through a joint venture between the Career Advising Office and the Office of Alumni and Parent Programs. Advisors live in many locations throughout the United States and overseas, and represent a cross-section of business and professional careers. Approximately 800 parents and alumni form the Network.

Parents and alumni participating in the L&C Network have indicated their willingness to serve as career advisors by completing a questionnaire. Business information is updated as changes are received, and a periodic mailing is sent to all L&C Network advisors to verify and update information.

The L&C Network is an informational resource, not an employment referral service. A set of guidelines is provided to assist you in networking. If you have read these guidelines and are ready to get started, click here.

If you'd like to search the L&C Network for an advisor, click here.

Uses for the L&C Network

Begin exploring careers.

Networking is one of the best ways to learn about professions and organizations you may seek to work for. There are nearly 500 parents and alumni waiting for your call. To help you locate them, we have listings organized by career field and state.

Find an internship.

On the L&C Network questionnaire many alumni have indicated their interest in hiring an intern or helping a student find an internship within their company.

Learn about graduate schools.

We have a list filled with the names of alumni who have gone to graduate school who are willing to advise you on all aspects of choosing and applying to graduate schools.

Guidelines for using the L&C Network

Develop a Contact List

Look through the Network lists on-line and identify the advisors with whom you'd like to contact.

Arrange a Meeting

Call or write the alumnus/a, identify yourself as an L&C student/alumnus/a. Explain that you obtained his or her name from Alumni Relations' L&C Network, and state the purpose of your call as being to learn about:

• their career field
• the organization they work for
• the graduate school they attended
• the discipline or professional area they studied.

Typically you will be asking for a meeting lasting about 30 minutes.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Before the meeting you should research the organization or occupation and formulate your questions so your time in the meeting is well spent. Sources of information include publications on occupational fields, professional journals, newspapers, job descriptions, and employer/company literature. Much of this information is available in the Aubrey Watzek Library. Based on your interests, you should research and then develop a manageable number of questions. Try to frame your questions in a way that will elicit the most information. You want much more than "yes" or "no" answers.

Sample Questions

Remember, what you ask will depend on what you want to know.

• How would you describe a typical working day?
• What skills, knowledge, and personal characteristics do you think are important in your job?
• What do you find most rewarding about your work?
• If you could change something about your work, what would it be?
• Could you tell me about your academic/employment background?
• How would you describe an ideal applicant for your organization?
• What do you see in the next five years or so for you as an individual, for your organization, and for your profession?
• Can you suggest someone else I might talk with about this career area?

The Meeting

Be professional and dress in attire appropriate for the workplace in which you will be meeting the alumnus/a.

Explain your purpose at the beginning of the interview. Be clear: "I came to talk to you because I am considering this area as a career and would like your insight regarding the profession." Most of your questions should be prepared in advance, but ask appropriate impromptu questions. Pick questions that you can be assertive about. Be enthusiastic and genuinely interested in the person.

Finally, use common sense to determine when to leave; do not overstay your welcome. Usually thirty to forty-five minutes is plenty of time.

Soon After . . .

Send thank you notes following all visits. Any written correspondence used during this process should follow business form.

As you progress in your career exploration it's a good idea to keep in contact with L&C Network career advisors who have helped you in your search. A quick call or note to let them know of your progress and your appreciation for their help is a great way to encourage alumni participation in the Network.

If you are an alumnus/a with experience to share and would like to join the L&C Network, please e-mail us at alumni@lclark.edu.