SophoMORE Connections: the Power of the Colgate Alumni Network

Among the features that set Colgate apart is its unparalleled alumni network, and Sophomore Connections is a true testament to that, giving students the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with established alumni.

If you don’t already know, networking is your biggest tool when it comes to breaking into the professional world. Whether it is consulting, investment banking, marketing, and everything in between–it is necessary.

Every year at the end of winter break, Colgate University hosts SophoMORE Connections. An exclusive two day event for second year students, it includes workshops, alumni panels, and most importantly, networking events. While many in the student body are still exploring, at this point students looking to go into finance or consulting have long ago decided their future interests. All different areas of career paths are present, ranging from medicine to law to the arts, however, Sophomore Connections comes at a pivotal time for students recruiting for finance or consulting. 

The first day began in the afternoon and included workshops that encouraged students to leverage LinkedIn and prepare them for networking conversations. The day ended with a keynote speaker and catered dinner where students shared a meal and time with one to two alumni. A large theme of the night was that career paths are not linear–an inspirational facilitator for discussions. Students could choose to remain after the formal dinner ended to continue speaking to the alumni they had dinner with as well.  

Day two the event hosted several alumni panels across broad categories such as finance, consulting, sustainability, and medicine that allowed students a chance to hear about the alumni’s career paths and role. One session was a "facilitated networking” session where students and alumni were randomly put together in groups, and prompted questions for discussion.  

Arguably, the most important session of the two days is the open networking session that concludes the event and second day. After a full day of alumni panels, students have the opportunity to talk to alumni of their own choosing one on one or in small groups to facilitate connections. While the panels allow big group discussions and broad questions to be asked, the more intimate networking is ultimately where a true connection can be formed; more tailored questions beyond simply “what is your day to day?” can be asked. This is the time to make an impression. The setting can be daunting–going up to individuals in a room surrounded by others pining for the same attention–but the conversations you get out of it are rewarding. Taking advantage of that time can allow for a relationship to be formed and continued down the line. Such relationships are necessary and powerful when breaking into the industry. 

Sophomore Thalia Karajannis '28, a student with an interest in wealth management, emphasized the importance of the networking sessions. 

“The open networking session was very valuable in that it allowed me to reconnect with alumni who either had a career that interested me, or a path that I wanted to further discuss,” Karajannis said. “Having that time and space to be able to take initiative and go up to people was nerve wracking but a great experience overall. Some of the people I met and connected with I am still connected with now, and our relationship has continued to grow since. [They] have been very helpful in advice and insights in how to navigate breaking into finance.” 

Events like these are ones students interested in business and finance should take seriously, especially in the context of a liberal arts institution. The reality is that networking is your best friend, and taking advantage of large events such as Sophomore Connections will only help you.