On April 25, 2024, the Alumni Opportunity Fair was held at GCC E1-3 from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm, providing a vibrant environment for soon-to-be HGSE grads. This event is designed to help these students have the opportunity to connect, network, and explore various opportunities even before they graduate. Harvard Alumni for Education (HAEd) was delighted to participate for the second year in a row, dedicated to welcoming and supporting the latest generation of Harvard alumni.
Our preparation for the Alumni Opportunity Fair began well in advance, with our team arriving as early as 10:30 am to set up our table and ensure we were ready to welcome attendees. We anticipated a high volume of visitors and came prepared with a range of materials, including printed resources, QR codes, and HAEd giveaways, all designed to engage attendees and promote our free Special Interest Group (SIG).
Throughout the event, our team shared the benefits of joining HAEd. Our two most significant selling points? We emphasized our commitment to accessibility through our free membership and our global reach with chapters across the United States and worldwide. We also stressed that our global network provides the unique opportunity to connect with others regardless of where they move post-graduation.
The Alumni Opportunity Fair was not just a networking event but a vibrant and interactive experience. There were catering tables with a popcorn bar and cupcakes - lending a celebratory air that encouraged attendees to mingle and connect. There were a lot of memorable features, like the HGSE step-and-repeat near the main entrance, along with a Polaroid camera and props; these provided fun and interactive elements, adding to the lively atmosphere and allowing a platform for attendees to network and capture memories.
Overall, HAEd's participation in the Alumni Opportunity Fair was a success! Over 150 enthusiastic new graduates signed up. Beyond that, we shared our mission and values and strengthened the ties within the Harvard alumni community.
We look forward to participating again next year and continuing our commitment to supporting Harvard alumni on their educational and professional journeys. Special thanks to HGSE organizers who invited us, Lisa Himmelman and Emily Williams; my fearless co-director of the Harvard/Boston Region, Hannah Shin; and our amazing ECs, Terence Tan Wei Ting and Dr. Bob Weinberg, for hosting the table and ensuring we had people there for the all-day affair! Super special thanks to our incredible Global Board, especially Nicole Erb and Dr. Jessi Hanson-Defusco, for your magnanimous support, vision, and leadership.