Connect After Graduation

A Guide To Using Alumni Resources After Graduation

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About Calvin Alumni

Association (CAA)

The Calvin Alumni Association, founded in 1907, is an organization that connects alumni, strengthens the college, and inspires alumni to answer God’s call. The Alumni Association is composed of all persons who have attended Calvin College for at least one year—or who have completed eight courses—and those who have graduated from Calvin Theological Seminary.

These pages are a guide for recent graduates of Calvin College to assist them in utilizing various resources provided to them by other alumni and the college. From social media to benefits of being alumni, we hope that you get connected and remain connected to this institution well after you’ve graduated.

An organized alumni network can be rewarding to the college and its graduates. We invite you to browse this booklet, discover more about the Calvin Alumni Association and communicate with us. Check our website or e-mail suggestions to alumni@calvin.edu—promptly and sincerely.

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Social Media

Download the FREE Phone App Customized feeds based on your personal interests

Like the Calvin Alumni Association FB Page Regularly posted alumni stories and news from the college

Join the Calvin Alumni & Friends LinkedIn Group

Use the LinkedIn page to connect with other alumni or search for jobs

Register for uKnight Find a mentor in your field or other alumni living in your area in the uKnight networking directory

Click the respective logo to get to the designated site.

Calvin Sports Stay updated with Calvin sports – rosters, schedule, scores, etc.

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E-Newsletters

Stay connected to Calvin through various newsletters

This Square Inch Monthly updates sent from President Michael Le Roy

Calvin-Wire Monthly e-mail newsletter sent to alumni and friends of Calvin.

Includes student and alumni news, upcoming events, photos, and stories

Calvin-Sports An e-mail bulletin sent soon after Calvin varsity sporting events

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The Spark

Did you know that the Spark is actually a product of the Calvin Alumni Association, not Calvin College?

- Quarterly magazine free to all of alumni of Calvin; keep your address up-to-date to get it: spark@calvin.edu

- Mailed in print to all 60,000 living alumni - Most of each issue is available online (www.calvin.edu/spark/) - Share news of jobs, marriages, children, life in general with

other alums - Contains profiles of Calvin alums worldwide

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Local Networks

Calvin Networks with the most Young Alums: - Boston - Chicago - Denver - Grand Rapids | K4L (Young Alum) - New York City - Seattle - Washington DC

Past Events in Different Networks: - Cubs vs. White Sox Spring Game (Arizona) - Happy Hour/Networking Night (Chicago) - Friends at Founders (Grand Rapids) - Hang out at BJ’s Restaurant (Southern California) - A Night with President Le Roy (Korea) - Streetfest International (Boston) - Business & Social Media Talk (Grand Rapids)

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The Rivalry

The Calvin/Hope Rivalry has 80+ satellite sites throughout the world

You can find your local site and links to the live internet

stream on the Rivalry website

Chicago, Ill.

Denver, Colo.

Jerusalem, Israel

New York, N.Y. 8

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Staying in GR?

Check out some of the affinity groups in Grand Rapids.

- MBA@Calvin – Alumni group connecting young business professionals in the Grand Rapids area

- Calvin International Alumni – Bringing international alums

together for annual events and to help current international students

- River City Improv – All Calvin alumni improv group - C Club – Alumni club for varsity letter winners that seeks to

recognize former student athletes and strengthen the athletic community

- K4L: Young Alumni – Providing intentional programming for young

alums in the greater Grand Rapids area - Alumni Choir and Community Symphony - Alumni music groups

open to new members

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Career Resources

Calvin College Career Development If you’re still searching for a job after graduation, career development serves alumni too!

- Resume/Cover Letter/Interview Prep Assistance - Job Search

LinkedIn Page Both students and alumni have had success requesting advice and job search help under the “Discussions” tab!

uKnight Students and alumni can use the Networking Directory to reach out to alumni who are interested in: - Talking to students/alumni about their job search - Accepting resumes for full-time and intern positions

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Faith Resources

Bible Study Resources Join the Calvin community in the annual fall all-campus Bible Study

Prayer Resources Be a Student/Alumni Mentor Watch Chapel Live | Archives Watch LOFT Live | Archives

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Alumni Benefits

Knights4Life means FOR LIFE, so even though you no longer attend

Calvin, you still have some perks of being Knights4Life.

uKnight Use of networking directory for professional connections or contacting old friends

Hekman Library Alumni have free book loan and use of computer terminals

Career Development Use the career office for free

Alumni Climbing & Basketball One night a month, Calvin hosts a climbing night and a basketball night at the Fieldhouse for young alums. E-mail alumni@calvin.edu if you’re a Grand Rapids young alum who hasn’t been receiving the e-mails

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Enrichment Resources

January Series Live Broadcast Watch at one of more than 40 remote sites with alumni and friends or listen to a live stream from home

January Series Archive Listen to lectures dating back years in the January Series archive

Festival of Faith & Writing Alum Scholarships 30 scholarships awarded to recent grads who are unable to meet the full registration fee. Awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Young Alumni Writers Blog Resources for young alumni writers

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Support Calvin

Recommend One Recommend prospective high school students to Calvin

The Annual Fund Your donation of $5 or more helps keep Calvin affordable for current and future students

Career Development Help students and alumni by posting jobs and internship opportunities in CalvinLink

Be a Mentor Register with the uKnight Networking Directory and allow students to reach out to you for career advice

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

OVERVIEW

Mission The Calvin Alumni Association connects alumni, strengthens the college, and inspires alumni to answer God’s call.

Vision An active, engaged network of Calvin students, alumni and friends who: - Help each other through lifelong connections - Support the college - Inspire each other to be agents of renewal

Alumni Association Web Site 15

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