Blog
Alumni Career Advice
Maintaining Your Network
By Victoria Freeman '16
January 17, 2023
Tags Communications
What was your experience like finding a job post-graduation? How did you find the right fit when it came to finding a place to work?
I was fortunate enough to know someone in the film industry at HBO. I started reaching out to him my junior year of college and would pick his brain on all things film related. I would email him about every six months or so until I graduated. When I graduated, I interviewed for a position there but did not get the job. I was extremely discouraged but was lucky to find another opportunity at Viacom. About a year later, I got an email from HBO saying that they remembered me from last year and would like me to return for another interview. It will be my five-year work anniversary in December!
If there’s any piece of advice I can give to students it would be to make as many connections as possible. Pick at least two or three of those people who you really felt a bond with and stay connected. Reach out to them every six months or so, checking in with them and reminding them of who you are. You might feel like you’re being annoying or a burden to them, but speaking as one of them now, you definitely are not! Most people (especially from Hamilton) love getting to know fellow Hamilton students and I really believe it’s the best way to get your foot in the door. I remember sending a video of me playing soccer at Hamilton, on Love Field, to my friend at HBO because he had also played soccer in college and it was a major bonding point for us. I was extremely embarrassed, but my dad encouraged me to do it and to this day, when we see each other in the office, he still brings up that goal against Wesleyan.