Pioneers Connect Boosts Job Support

SHU’s unique online platform better integrates career services with alumni involvement

While a polished résumé and proven academic performance help in the quest for a job after graduation, there is another crucial resource that can be the key in securing employment—personal and professional connections.

One of the ways to build those connections is through an online professional networking platform. For Sacred Heart University alumni, students and the greater SHU community, Pioneers Connect is that go-to interactive platform. Recently, it went through additional enhancements, which will require those already on the site to create new accounts.

“We’ve updated the platform to provide more features, which allows for better integration of alumni and career services in one place,” said Rob Gilmore, executive director of alumni engagement & events. “From creating a profile to engaging with the site, it’s very user friendly. Whether you have yet to graduate, graduated this past year or graduated 35 years ago, you’ll find the platform to be very useful.”

From the start, Pioneers Connect has been a dual effort between alumni engagement and SHU’s career services. But this latest iteration allows for better integration, as well as better access to each department’s resources.

“I’m really excited about it,” said Annie Suffredini, executive director of the center for career & professional development. “We can post active opportunities at companies and organizations where alums are working. It also has an improved mentorship platform where our students and alumni can connect. And students and alumni can have conversations directly on the platform related to career advice. A live feed will allow alumni to post their stories and career successes to the greater Sacred Heart University alumni community.”

The service helps users to:

• Expand and advance their professional network
• Reconnect with fellow classmates
• Celebrate alumni and current student successes
• Discover mentorship opportunities that link alum with students
• Explore for job opportunities

And if users have a hankering to wander down memory lane, Pioneers Connect makes it easy to view old yearbooks and picture albums from past events on the platform. If users are focused on the present, they can find information about upcoming events that will bring alumni together. They’ll also find resources and tips for career advancement.

Suffredini said this service provides students with better opportunities to make direct contacts with alumni as they explore opportunities such as internships. For example, if a student discovers an internship opportunity, the student can reach out through Pioneers Connect to an alum at that company to either ask for a referral or apply.

“I'm most excited to use Pioneers Connect to engage with alumni and learn from their experiences,” said Chase McTaggart, a graduate student in the School of Communication, Media & the Arts. “To be able to reach out to SHU graduates with ease is extremely helpful for finding mentors.”

Whether graduation approaches or a career is well underway, strong connections are a superpower people can employ to get their résumé before the right people, get that foot in the door and test the waters if they’re thinking of shifting their career.

Gilmore and Suffredini said it’s important to set up the new account, since the previous platform will shut down in March.

“Setting up Pioneers Connect was quick and easy,” said Gianna Francis, who is getting her MBA. “It’s user-friendly, really easy to navigate and feels just like Sacred Heart’s own LinkedIn. I’m looking forward to continuing to use it in the future.”