Volunteer Impact Report
On behalf of the Hiatt Career Center and the Rise Together Mentor Network, thank you to all our alumni volunteers for your incredible support during the 2024–2025 academic year. Your time, insight, and generosity play a vital role in preparing Brandeis students for their careers.
Alumni make a lasting difference in the lives of our undergraduates. Students consistently tell us how much they value connecting with alumni. These conversations boost their confidence, expand their networks, and help them take meaningful steps toward their goals.
Whether you joined a networking event, mentored through the Rise Together Mentor Network, hosted a virtual meetup, offered classroom advice, partnered with Hiatt through your employer, or supported students in other ways, your contribution has a real and lasting impact.
We invite you to explore some highlights from this past year, take a look at what’s ahead, and get involved as an Alum. Thank you again for being part of the Brandeis community. The strength of our network starts with you.
Melissa O’Karma
Associate Director of External Engagement
Alumni as Volunteers
We’re thankful for every alumni volunteer who shared their professional journey, whether by serving on a panel, speaking in a classroom, offering advice over email, recruiting a Brandeis student, or engaging in other meaningful ways. Your support helps guide students through key moments as they explore their interests and prepare for life after Brandeis. We sincerely appreciate all you have contributed this year.
Alumni Mentors
The Rise Together Mentor Network is a virtual platform where Brandeis undergraduates connect with alumni mentors from around the world. Since launching in 2020, the program has grown to include more than 2,000 mentors, along with educational workshops, cross-campus events, in-person networking opportunities, and virtual office hours known as Mentor Meetups.
Thank you to every mentor who has contributed to the success of this program. Your involvement makes a lasting impact.
We are actively seeking alumni mentors across several industries and areas of expertise. Add your name to Rise Together’s list of mentors by joining the Rise Together group on B Connect.
Spotlight: Uncharted Paths
This spring, Hiatt hosted the first-ever Uncharted Paths networking event, created specifically for juniors and seniors who are still exploring their plans after graduation. Designed for students who may feel unsure, overwhelmed, or simply curious, the event offered both inspiration and practical advice.
Students connected with Brandeis alumni who had once been in their shoes, navigating uncertainty and exploring a variety of interests. Through open and honest conversations, alumni shared personal stories of winding career paths, unexpected turns, and lessons they picked up along the way.
Uncharted Paths served as a powerful reminder that careers do not always follow a straight line. With support from the Brandeis alumni community, students left the event feeling more confident about taking the next step, wherever they may be starting.
"I had the opportunity to join the Hiatt Career Center's Uncharted Paths student-alumni networking event, which gave me an opportunity to interact with current juniors and seniors. I was struck by the empowered, self-aware, knowledgeable, and market-aware lenses so many of the current students had. It's clear that Brandeis has imbued the students with a sense of agency, an understanding of the translational benefits and transferable skills of a liberal arts education, and how to consider the multiple pathways ahead. And I also appreciated their characterization of President Levine's leadership, and the positive impact it's had on their Brandeis experience. Thank you to Hiatt for organizing such a fantastic event!" - Adam Herman '04
Alumni at Work
Brandeis alumni volunteers play a leading role in creating career opportunities for students and championing their success across industries. We are deeply grateful to all alumni who support our community by posting opportunities on Handshake, connecting us with recruiting and HR contacts, participating in career fairs and recruitment events, and hosting career treks.
More importantly, alumni help break down barriers for Brandeisians by sharing industry insights, teaching specialized skills, and guiding students through today’s competitive hiring process. Your involvement makes a lasting difference.
Alumni in the Classroom
Alumni are some of the most valuable guides in helping Brandeis students navigate and better understand the world of work. This year, the Hiatt Career Center partnered with faculty, Undergraduate Department Representatives (UDRs), and other campus collaborators to bring alumni speakers into classrooms, both virtually and in person. These dynamic programs enhance the student experience by building meaningful connections between academic learning and real-world application.Looking Ahead: Alumni Engagement at Hiatt
As we prepare for the 2025–2026 academic year, we are excited to continue working with our alumni volunteers to expand engagement, diversify our volunteer network, and offer meaningful programs that strengthen connections between current students and the Brandeis alumni community.
One of our newest initiatives is the Brandeis at Work: Job Shadowing Program, launching next year. This program will give students the chance to experience a professional environment firsthand and explore career paths through short-term shadowing opportunities. For employers, it offers a valuable way to connect with Brandeis students, share workplace insights, and build awareness of their organization on campus.
If you're interested in hosting a shadow day, we welcome your involvement and look forward to collaborating with you.
