DePaul University’s “Networlding” Event Sept. 18 is Part of the Trend

In a weak economy and highly competitive job market, it’s not unusual for working professionals to pursue MBA degrees to bolster their credentials. But increasingly, graduates of these programs are seeking a hidden resource that MBA degrees offer—a link to a network of alumni who can help with career advancement.

This trend is especially true for working professionals who earn their MBA degrees in part-time programs, which enroll about 64 percent of all MBA students nationwide. At DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business—one of the largest part-time MBA programs in the country—officials have responded to alumni interest in career networking by shifting the focus of its alumni programs from social gatherings to career-oriented events.

“Alumni and students are realizing that the strength of earning an MBA goes beyond the classroom,” said Sarah Black, assistant director of Kellstadt’s Career Management Center. “They know that the number one way for any business professional to get hired or advance his or her career is through networking, and this is especially true during an economic downturn.”

“DePaul has MBAs all over Chicago,” Black said, noting that more than 10,000 DePaul MBA alumni live and work in the Chicago area. “Our goal is to link alumni to form a community, which will enable them to enhance their professional networks, increase opportunities for career advancement and find new job opportunities.”.

Kellstadt’s next alumni event on Sept. 18 is typical of the trend. DePaul alumnus Melissa Giovagnoli, a management consultant and author who specializes in networking, leadership, mentoring and community building, will lead alumni through several interactive exercises involving a new concept in networking called “networlding.” The program also features a panel discussion by three other DePaul alumni: Alan L. Heller, senior vice president, Baxter International Inc.; Marc J. Zawicki, vice president & chief financial officer, Alpha Baking Co.; and James T. Bowler, partner, Accenture North American Core Technologies. The event is sponsored by the business school’s Career Management Center, the student MBA Association and DePaul’s Alumni Association.

Giovagnoli, president of Schaumberg-based Networlding.com, introduced the networlding concept in her 2000 book, “Networlding: Building Relationships and Opportunities for Success.” (Jossey-Bass), which is a top-10 best seller in Chicago on Amazon.com.

According to Giovagnoli, “Networlding is a collaborative approach to building relationships that takes networking one step further by creating a core circle of co-workers, family, friends and community members who understand your goals, share your values and provide mutual support and benefits.

Tapping into alumni networks fits well into this concept, said Giovagnoli, who has received a flurry of speaker requests from Chicago-area university alumni organizations this fall.

“There’s real value in building connections around an alumni network,” she said. “In this day and age when you hear so much about the contract being broken with corporate America and that you are on your own in promoting ‘brand you’, anything that creates a solid support network is important.”

Editor’s note: Reporters interested in discussing alumni career networking with Sarah Black or Melissa Giovagnoli, or who would like to cover the Sept. 18 “Networlding” event, should call Robin Florzak, DePaul Media Relations, at 312/362-8592.