Resources for Alumni
Resources for Alumni
The Bowdoin Career Advisory Network (BCAN)
Guidelines for Advisors
Members of the Bowdoin Career Advisory Network (BCAN) have volunteered to share their time and expertise with students and recent graduates. One of Bowdoin’s key volunteer opportunities, BCAN has been in existence for many years, and has served the needs of students and alumni in myriad ways throughout this time. The scope of the network has grown in recent years to include more than 1,600 alumni from nearly every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries.
How do I become a BCAN member?
In order to become a BCAN member, please register and update your profile in PolarNet, Bowdoin's alumni database, then simply check the box on your Alumni profile, indicating that you would like to join BCAN.
To remove your name from BCAN, uncheck the box on your profile.
Those alumni who have been part of BCAN for some time know that the rewards of participating in the network can be great – a chance to give back to the College by offering your professional expertise while making meaningful and often lasting connections with Bowdoin students and graduates. For those new to the Network, we welcome you, and hope the experience will be equally rewarding and fulfilling for you.
What expectations does the College have of alumni who agree to serve as members of the Career Advisory Network?
As a participant in BCAN, you may be contacted by students and other alumni to share information regarding your career path, your employer, job-hunting strategies unique to your industry, and opportunities in your field. You will be expected to keep your profile up to date to reflect any changes in your employment or contact information.
The initial contact you have with an advisee may consist of correspondence over email or a phone call. You may also choose to invite individuals who have contacted you to your office for informational interviews. Advisees will be made aware that your primary role is to provide advice and information; you should not be approached as an employment contact, though you may choose to share job leads if you wish.
Below is a sampling of the types of questions you may be asked by individuals seeking you out as a BCAN volunteer:
Questions about you:
- How did you first get interested in this line of work? What has been your career path?
- How does your work relate to any academic experiences or studies you pursued while at Bowdoin?
- How did other aspects of your Bowdoin experience prepare you for this career?
- What do you enjoy most and least about your work in this industry, and why?
- What is your typical day like? What kind of hours do you work? Are they flexible?
- Are there particular lifestyle choices you have made on account of the type of work you do?
Questions about your organization:
- What is a typical career path in this organization? What are some of the most challenging entry-level opportunities?
- Does your employer offer any type of training program? What skills and/or experience are necessary?
- What are the prospects for advancement?
- What is your organization’s mission?
- How would you describe the culture or work environment and the people with whom you work?
- How do liberal arts graduates fare at your company/organization vs. those with more technical or vocational training?
Questions about your career field:
- What type of education or training is recommended or necessary to excel in this field?
- What are the typical jobs, particularly at the entry level? What is the salary range for these positions?
- What specific trade journals, publications, or web site resources that would be particularly helpful for conducting research about this field?
- Among my strongest assets are (skills, areas of knowledge, personality traits, and values). Where might they fit into this field?
- Who else might you recommend I approach for advice about entering this particular field?
- How welcoming is this field to women, people of color, and members of other underrepresented groups? Do professional networks exist that provide support to individuals like myself who are seeking to enter this field?
Who has access to the network?
Current students from all class years can access the BCAN Directory after meeting with a Career Advisor in the Career Planning Center.
Alumni interested in networking for their own purposes may access BCAN through Polarnet, the alumni online community. The process is very simple, and instructions are provided on the Polarnet home page.
What are some of the other ways alumni can provide career-related support to Bowdoin students and graduates?
That is entirely up to you. As a BCAN member, you are not expected to provide more than general information. That said, some network volunteers have offered to provide feedback on resumes and cover letters or coaching on job search strategies that are specific to the industry. Others have provided names of people within their organization (or other employers) whom the student or graduate can contact by using their name, if they feel so inclined. The ball is in your court, and of course we deeply appreciate whatever extra time and attention you are willing to offer to a particular individual.
On a broader scale, there are numerous ways to support career planning at Bowdoin, including:
- Encourage your organization to participate in Bowdoin’s recruiting programs. For more information, see our For Employers section.
- Notify us of full-time, internship, winter break, shadowing, and summer job opportunities for students.
- Volunteer to organize a career-related program through the Bowdoin Club in your area.
- Participate in Club-sponsored networking receptions and encourage your friends within the region to do the same.
- Keep your alumni profile current through Polarnet or contact the Office of Alumni Relations (alumni@bowdoin.edu) if you change jobs or your residence.
Can all advisors expect to be contacted by students or Bowdoin graduates?
It is our sincere hope that you will be contacted, but there is no guarantee. By being part of the network, however, you will receive periodic communication from the College about the network’s activities and an update on events offered for the benefit of students and alumni. BCAN members are often tapped to participate in career panel discussions on campus, workplace site visits, and networking events held off campus in conjunction with the Bowdoin Clubs.
Are students and graduates given guidelines on how to approach alumni for networking purposes?
Yes. Students attend a networking workshop and also use the Networking tipsheet as a resource.
For on and off-campus recruiting, networking events, and posting full-time and summer jobs for current students, please contact the Employer Relations Coordinator at cpc@bowdoin.edu or call 207-725-3717.