Mentor Match & The LinkedIn Alumni Tool: Alumni in Arts, Media, and Marketing Looking to Offer Career Support

For some of you, this may be your very first networking experience. For others, you may already feel comfortable reaching out and having career conversations. Either way, it’s important to approach this with preparation and professionalism.

Here are a few important things to keep in mind:

• Start with Messaging on Mentor Match. You can message alumni directly in the platform using the provided template (be sure to customize it).
• Check their profile thoroughly. Some alumni also list their personal email. If they indicate they prefer that, or if you don’t hear back on Mentor Match after some time, you may follow up via email.
• Customize your outreach. Even if you’re using a template, always tailor your message. Reference details from their profile, LinkedIn, or shared experiences. This shows respect and professionalism.
• Ask value-based questions. Networking isn’t only about learning what others do; it’s also about understanding what matters to you in a workplace. For example, if stability is a key value, you might ask how stability shows up in their role or industry. Others might value flexibility or creativity. Let your values guide some of your questions.
• Use available resources. We’ve created a Networking Guide with sample outreach templates, questions to ask, and thank-you note examples.

Hi [Alum’s Name],

I hope you’re doing well! I came across your profile while exploring Mentor Match and was excited to see your experience in [industry/role/company]. [Insert one or two details from their Mentor Match profile, such as their job, career field, or topics they’re open to discussing—e.g., “Your work in digital marketing and openness to supporting students exploring that path really stood out to me.”]

I also took a look at your LinkedIn profile and noticed [mention any other shared interests, student involvement, majors, or meaningful experiences—e.g., “you were involved in [student organization] during your time at [school], which I’m currently part of as well”]. That made me even more excited to reach out.

A bit about me: I’m currently a [year] student majoring in [major] with an interest in [industry, role, or specific career goal]. I’m in the process of exploring career paths and learning from alumni who have pursued careers I admire. I’d love the chance to speak with you brieflym, maybe for about 15–20 minutes, to hear more about your journey, experiences, and any advice you might have for someone starting out.

Would you be open to connecting for a short conversation in the coming weeks? I’m happy to work around your schedule and truly appreciate your time and support.

Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

And remember—you don’t have to do this alone! The Career Center is here to support you before and after your networking conversations. We’d love to hear how it went, reflect with you, and help you plan your next steps.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to set you up for success:

• Connect with the Career Center first to reflect on your goals (e.g., what industry or role you want to explore).
• Create and complete your Mentor Match profile thoroughly.
• Research mentors before reaching out—look at their Mentor Match profile, LinkedIn, and other available information.
• Draft tailored questions based on your research.
• Reflect on your own values and create at least one value-based question.
• Review our Networking Guide for additional question ideas and outreach tips.
• When scheduling, be professional: be clear, punctual, and respectful of their time.
• During the meeting: ask your questions, listen actively, and be mindful of time.
• At the end, ask how they prefer to stay connected (LinkedIn, email, etc.).
• Send a thank-you note afterward.
• Keep in touch and consider reaching out to more than one mentor (just remember to personalize each outreach).

And most importantly, if you’d like support at any stage, reach out to the Career Center. We’re here to help!

Use this if:

• You’re already connected with the person
• You’re in a shared LinkedIn group (you can message them even if you’re not connected!)
• You have LinkedIn Premium, which gives you access to send InMails

This is one of the best options when available because you’re not limited by character count, and you can personalize your message fully.

• Always check for second-degree connections
• Go to the person’s profile → Click “Mutual Connections” to see who you both know
• If you know that shared connection well, reach out to them first (template here)
• This often has a higher success rate because it builds trust through someone they already know

• You can send a short note (limited to 200 characters) with your request
• Be brief but specific; mention a shared interest or why you’d like to connect (template above)
• Use this option carefully since you only get 5 notes per month if you’re on the free version

• Start with shared connections: Most people skip this step, but it’s powerful. Don’t assume your network isn’t helpful; people are often surprised who knows who!
• Use the People Search filter to narrow by industry, school, company, etc., then look for “2nd” connections (meaning someone you know knows them).
• Shared groups matter: If you’re in a group with someone (like an industry-related group or alumni group), you can message them even if you’re not connected; no note limit.
• Personalize your message: Even though there are templates you can use on here, don’t send something that feels like a template.
  • Mention if you share the same school, major, or interest.
  • Point out something specific from their profile (a past internship, a cool project, a company you admire).
  • A little personality or shared context goes a long way.

Bottom Line: Start with mutual connections when possible, then try direct messaging through a shared group or Premium. Only send cold connection requests with notes if the other two aren’t options, and make sure each message reflects you and what you genuinely find interesting about them!

Drop-ins: When classes are in session, Monday-Friday, from 12-4 p.m., you can visit our office to schedule a 20-minute drop-in with our staff

Appointments: You can schedule your 30-minute career session on Handshake. These are offered all year and can be done virtually and in person.

Online Resources: Visit uConnect, our virtual career center that is always accessible to support your career needs

Picture Source: Gemini AI Image Generator

AI Assistance: Portions of this resource were developed with support from ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI, used to help synthesize research, generate summaries, and refine formatting. All final content was reviewed and customized for Binghamton University students.