As a senior about to initiate my career after Skidmore, I am constantly looking for ways to connect with employers and grow my network.

Since my first year in college, I have been active on LinkedIn. I use LinkedIn to connect with peers along with professionals I have met through classroom presentations, athletic events, and other networking opportunities. LinkedIn has helped me find many internship opportunities and has also increased my knowledge of news events throughout the world.

You may be wondering why I am boasting about LinkedIn if this excerpt is about Skidmore's Career Advisor Network (CAN)?

Well, if I am being completely honest, up until this year, I didn’t think there was much of a difference between LinkedIn and the Career Advisor Network.  Therefore, most of my connection efforts were put into using just LinkedIn. (By the way, did you know Skidmore has a LinkedIn Career Connections group?  Check it out here.)

Through hours on top of hours searching through LinkedIn, Indeed, Handshake, etc. for career opportunities, I finally decided to give the Career Advisor Network a chance.  As of Fall 2018, the CDC started using a new platform for the network- called PeopleGrove- and the site is so easy to use!  The site boasts more than 800 alumni who have volunteered to advise Skidmore students.   A few minutes into using this platform, I realized that it offers a much more personalized, and Skidmore-specific approach to networking. 

First and foremost, all profiles on this platform are alumni and parents (and sometimes employers) who volunteer to be there!  By signing up, they acknowledge they are open to helping Skidmore students with their career questions.  I often find professionals on LinkedIn to be intimidating or unapproachable because of our lack of a connection. That’s why I really enjoy using the Career Advisor Network.  Advisors want to help students from their alma mater to succeed. They WANT us to reach out!

On each professional’s profile, it lists current and past employers, background info and career advice and goals.  Skidmore alumni even share their clubs and activities during their time at Skidmore.  This gives students the opportunity to connect with people they have common interests with, while also learning more about companies where Skidmore alumni work.

So yes, LinkedIn and the Career Advisor Network offer similarities,  but if you are looking for a less intimidating and more personal approach to networking, I highly suggest giving the Career Advisor Network a shot.

Start exploring the Career Advisor Network today!