What is the Alumni Insider’s View…New
York State Capital program?
This is one of many Alumni Insider’s View programs offered by St.
John’s University’s Office of Alumni Relations that connect
students and alumni for networking and education. This annual
program brings approximately 30-50 undergraduate/graduate students,
including School of Law and Pharmacy, to Albany to learn the inner
workings of state government and experience the reality of New
York’s political climate. The day is comprised of diverse and
dynamic panel discussions, lunch and a tour of the New York State
Capitol Building.
What does being a panelist
entail?
Volunteering to be a panelist entails approximately 1-1 ½ hours of
the panel length time, sharing with student participants your
experience working in Albany in an elected government position,
state government, or political environment, either now or in the
past, and providing your insights on the panel topic under
discussion with your fellow alumni panelists. Students are
coming to hear you discuss:
- How you obtained your position
- What it means to you to work in the state capital
- Your recommendations and advice on how to obtain a position or
career in a specific professional field
- How your St. John’s University education helped to contribute
to your experiences after graduation
- Your own advice, recommendations and suggestions for the
student participants
- The topic of the panel will be provided to alumni panelists;
however, panelists should be themselves, being open to questions
and offering helpful advice.
How long will I have to
speak?
The panels are generally formatted with a panel moderator who
allows each alumnus panelist to introduce him or herself and
discuss the above mentioned topics. Specific questions are then
posed by the panel moderator, allowing an individual panelist to
answer or defer to another. A question and answer period is
then provided so that students can feel free to ask any or all of
the panelists their own questions.
What will students expect from
me?
Students will expect to hear your story, and for you to be
approachable and accessible to them. Although the Office of Alumni
Relations will have prepared student participants with many
networking techniques in an information meeting prior to the start
of the program, many students may still feel somewhat awkward
approaching alumni. Your biography and contact information will be
provided to students in advance so they can follow-up with you for
networking purposes. Students will not ask you for employment
opportunities or internships; however, they are encouraged to ask
alumni how to obtain such positions.
What if I have agreed to participate as a
panelist and I get detained?
Once you are confirmed as a panelist, a final itinerary of the
day’s events and locations will be forwarded to you. If your plans
change that day, you can always join the students at any part of
the program and we’ll fit you in.
If I cannot participate as a panelist, is there another way I
can participate during the day?
Yes, you can attend the Student and Alumni Networking Reception
that evening, so that students will have many more alumni to
network with an informal setting.
Can I participate as a panelist but not
attend the student and alumni networking reception?
We would love your participation in both, but your time and
support for St. Johns University students as a panelist contributes
to the success of the program. You can certainly make an impact as
a panelist without attending the evenings networking reception;
however, students appreciate the one-on-one time with alumni that
the networking reception provides.
More Information
For additional information please contact:
Elisa Douglas ’05C
Assistant Director
Office of Alumni Relations
University Center, Suite B
Tel (718) 990-6168
douglase@stjohns.edu