Business alumni and students build connections at event

November 2, 2021 | UHCL Staff

Building personal and professional networks is so important, it might even be considered essential. Personal connections are powerful, and the opportunity to revisit them, or make new ones, can make a life-changing difference for college students as well as prospective employers in the community.

"Our faculty is committed to providing students with a quality educational experience while they're here, and our alumni stay engaged, offering opportunities for them to have internships and careers when they graduate," said University of Houston-Clear Lake Interim President Richard Walker, who spoke at the University Advancement Alumni Association networking reception on Oct. 26.

The reception was attended by over 40 alumni active in the local financial, marketing and economic industries.

"To get to network with important alumni and university staff to bring those opportunities and connect them with current students is what's important here," said Mariela Salgado, president of the Student Alumni Association and president of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Salgado is working toward her joint Master of Healthcare Administration-Master of Business Administration, anticipating a May 2022 graduation.

"I've benefited from networking events myself," she said. "I decided to get a mentor in my field based on a recommendation of a speaker I heard at an event. I found a great mentor, and that's why I'm here. I come for the connections, but you find out, maybe you can help someone else, too. Now I'm mentoring someone, because it's not just about what you can get, but also what you can give others."

College of Business Associate Dean Troy Voelker said opportunities to network were very meaningful for faculty, students and alumni.

"Alumni from this college stay very highly engaged, and their willingness to donate money and give their time demonstrates their commitment," Voelker said. "We are very fortunate to have them with us. This is a great opportunity for the university to be of service to our alumni, and it's a great opportunity for them to connect between each other and their faculty."

To learn more about alumni events and opportunities for scholarships, visit University Advancement.