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Alumni Starter Kit

Part One: Benefits

As Mercyhurst alumni, the Office of Alumni Relations as proud to offer several benefits to you. All benefits are listed at: mercyhurst.edu/alumni/benefits. 

@Lakers Email Note

Alumni email accounts are a benefit to you! You will have access to your @lakers.mercyhurst.edu accounts until Sept. 1 of the year after you graduate. Before then, you can convert your @lakers.mercyhurst.edu accounts to @alumni.mercyhurst.edu accounts to preserve your files, folders, emails, etc. Emails sent to your @lakers.mercyhurst.edu account will also transfer over to your new @alumni.mercyhurst.edu account!

Part Two: Career Resources

Handshake

Handshake is our online job posting platform but it is also a lot more. You should have been given access to an account as a student through your Mercyhurst email. If you activated it, just log in and start using these resources. Don’t forget to change your email in your account settings so you get them! Not only does Handshake offer job postings for tens of thousands of employers, it also houses our career resource library. Check out the Resources tab to access advice documents from resume and cover letter building to networking and professionalism.

Resume and Cover Letter Reviews

Resume and Cover Letter reviews are always available to alumni. Just send us an email at cdc@mercyhurst.edu and someone will give you resume feedback within a few days. Follow up appointments, both virtual or on campus, are available if you feel you need continued assistance. The same opportunities are available for individualized job search assistance and interviewing tips. Send us an email or request an appointment in Handshake to get things started. We will help as much as you need.

Graduate School

Thinking about Graduate School? We are happy to help you in your graduate school searches and provide tips and practice for applications and entrance exams. The online Peterson’s guide is a great place to start to see what programs are out there. Are you still unsure of your career path? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone and it isn’t too late to explore your options. One-on-one career counseling is available to you. We can help guide your exploration and offer options to bring in money while you explore.

Offer Help for Fellow Lakers

Are you all set and have started your career? The Career Center would love to hear about it! Log in to your Handshake account to take our First Destination Survey and consider reaching out to offer your experience to our current students!

Part Three: Alumni Events

Alumni events are taking place all throughout the year and not just in Erie, but in cities all over the country for you to attend - if you cannot make it back to campus easily, many Alumni Chapters have been started for you to connect with fellow Lakers in your city.

Annual Events

Homecoming Weekend - usually in September or early October - mark your calendars for your first Homecoming as Mercyhurst ALUMNI: Sept. 27-29!

Reunion Weekend - always held in June to celebrate landmark class years, honor the Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, and celebrate the Athletics Hall of Fame. Soon enough you'll be invited back to attend your 5th reunion!

Alumni Chapter Events

Alumni Chapter events are sometimes hosted by the University and the Alumni Office, sometimes hosted solely by the Chapter, and sometimes service projects are conducted by the Chapters. Whatever the event type is, you're invited!  

How do I hear about alumni events?

1. Update your email address with us 2. Update your mailing address with us (you won't be invited to the Buffalo Alumni Chapter gathering if our records show that you're living in Rochester!) 3. Connect with your Alumni Chapter online 4. Stay connected by visiting our Events webpage 5. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Past Alumni Events

Check out photos from past events.

Part Four: Involvement

Being involved as alumni is as easy as 1...2...3... and we've narrowed it down to three easy steps for you!

Step 1: Maintaining up-to-date information with Mercyhurst

Make sure your information is always up-to-date with us so that we know where you are and how to reach you. Moving? Let us know! Got married? Let us know! Had a baby? Let us know! Changed your email address? Let us know! You get it, right? LET US KNOW! Whether you email us a quick note at alumni@mercyhurst.edu -- letting us know what's going on in your life is helpful so that we can best connect with you. 

Step 2: Checking out our website and following us on social media

Visit our Alumni website where you will find all details from events that you can attend, benefits that you can receive, ways that you can volunteer with the University, and how to give to the University. Also be sure to follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where we are always posting updates and information to know.

Step 3: Give back

One of the easiest ways to remain involved is to give back. Giving comes in all shapes and sizes. Of course we hope you'll support the University in a monetary way - we realize you're new graduates and that for the first couple of years smaller amounts might be the most manageable. Whether you're giving to your class gift or a special project that we have going on, your support is always appreciated.

Giving back also comes in the form of volunteering and there are several ways that you can give of your time. Check out our volunteer opportunities.

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