Alumni Sharing Knowledge
(Need a "closet techie" intern?)
Last night, I attended the annual Alumni Sharing Knowledge night at my alma mater, the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. If you've never made the effort to involve yourself in an event like this at your own school (or any other for that matter), you should. The payoff can be unexpectedly big.
ASK night is a cocktail party without the cocktails in which really nervous college students mingle among somewhat nervous alumni and alumnae; CEOs and slick attorneys in three-piece suits, unemployed postal workers in jeans, Naval officers in dress uniform, scientists and professors in corduroy shorts and sandals, and humble writers in our best button down shirts.
Students, who shed their sweats for the night, attend to find a job lead, a word of encouragement or wisdom, instant wealth, and lifetime fulfillment. Alumni attend to avoid boredom, be nostalgic, connect with potential employees, be a mentor for a moment, and reflect. I attend as penance for failing to do so as a student.
Like an endless stream of drive-by garage salers, students approach cautiously, cock their heads sideways in a vain attempt to read your name tag inconspicuously, and then continue to the next throng of people. Occasionally, a student approaches, extends their hand, and asks, "So how does a Politics & Government major become a writer at Microsoft?" After the long form response draws only quizzical looks, you develop a one-liner like, "Six years, four states, two continents, and sixteen jobs later, I found my dream career, developing tools and writing documentation for software developers. What's your story?"
Once in awhile, a student approaches you with a real and thoughtful question like, "I think I might like to work at Microsoft and I think I'd like to do x. Can you tell me about x and what I can do to prepare myself to succeed in that position?" You think, 'where have you been all night?', ask the student twenty questions, laugh, wince, nod, clarify, encourage and then, convinced that the aspiring student might have what it takes to actually succeed as an x at Microsoft, pull out your only business card and encourage them to email you about a possible summer internship. What a great, great feeling that is.
-----Original Message-----
From: SomeStudent [mailto:student@ups.edu]
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 8:31 AM
To: Korby Parnell
Subject: ASK night follow-up!
Hello Korby,
My name is <SomeStudent> and I met you at the very end of ASK night.... we talked about Chile and OneNote, among other things. Well... it was really great to have met you and I am emailing you out of great excitement! Because of our conversation I considered the night a success.
I believe I was to inquire about the application dates for Microsoft internships, either in Redmond or Mountain View. I would prefer a summer internship, but if there is one during the school year I could probably clear a few obligations from my plate. I know that this is one of 800 billion emails you are receiving so thank you again for your time. :)
Hasta pronto,
SomeStudent
PS- I lived in Lo Barnechea while studying in Chile. It was bothering me that I couldn't remember and I just checked! Hehe.
SomeStudent, our conversation and your subsequent email made my week. Thanks for following up so promptly and expressing interest in working at Microsoft. I think that you will find great success in life, no matter what you do. Show up. Follow up. Persist. I'll be in touch as soon as I get an answer your question.
