Thank you for your interest in volunteering for Sophomore Bootcamp. We look forward to connecting you with students for what is likely their first-ever networking conversation. This is a highlight of Bootcamp, and thank you for sharing your time with Bowdoin sophomores.
Thank you for volunteering for Sophomore Bootcamp. You are an essential part of this program. In this 5 min video, CXD Executive Director Kristin Brennan will break down what to expect.
Sophomore Bootcamp Networking Volunteer FAQs
Sophomore Bootcamp is a three-day experience during winter break when every member of the Class of 2027 will learn and practice the skills necessary to pursue the opportunities of their choice this summer and beyond. Topics include resumes, cover letters, interviewing, networking, and LinkedIn. There are also opportunities to explore a variety of career options, and learn the skills to pursue them.
Networking is an essential skill taught at Bootcamp – we can’t appreciate you enough for making the time. The objective is for students to gain skill and confidence networking. About 70% of students tell us Bootcamp is their first time doing an informational interview. They come into this experience nervous and leave confident, citing this as their favorite part of Bootcamp.
By the evening of Wednesday 1/8, we will email you and your student(s) to match you. While etiquette ordinarily would put the onus on the student to communicate and ask for your time, in this case out of pragmatism we will ask you to respond to the student with the times that you are available to meet, and your preferred method (phone number or a virtual link).
Ideally, these conversations will happen between Jan 9th - 14th. We also know that life happens, and some networking calls may end up occurring in late January. Students know that they need to accommodate times that work for you.
You will receive two student matches, or three if you indicated on your sign-up survey that you had capacity to take an additional student.
We make matches with shared career field of interest in mind whenever possible. You may get matched with a student who doesn't know what they want to pursue, or has wide-ranging interests. We encourage students to approach their conversations with genuine curiosity and authenticity, with the goal of learning something new and interesting from you.
Allow 30 minutes and do what you can to make the conversation easy – it’s not a test for the student, it’s their entrée into the wonderful Bowdoin network. The conversation may range away from your career experience into general advice, encouragement, or other life experiences you have in common – terrific.
We prepare the students by teaching them how to do their homework on a new networking contact and the contact’s organization/career field in advance, how to introduce themselves in a brief but compelling way, and some good questions to ask in an informational interview.
Don’t feel obligated to – we’re aiming for warm, welcoming, low-stakes. That said, many of you are skilled at and enjoy helping young people improve their approach, and if you’re moved to do so, please feel free.
We suggest the students assess the success of a networking conversation this way:
Did you introduce yourself clearly (to your networking contact) and give them something to relate to?
Did you hear them smile at least once, and think at least once?
Did you carry away one insight you'll remember (and include in your thank you note)?
Would they remember you/ something about you if you met again by chance next month?
No, there is no expectation that you or your organization are hiring. Of course, as with all networking, serendipitous good things happen. Sometimes an internship, or a great lead, may arise in the course of the conversation. If you know of an internship the student might pursue, feel free to tell the student about it.
Student Voices:
"I appreciated that my first networking opportunity was with alumni who I knew were willing and excited to connect with me, it made the process feel less intimidating."
"Getting to connect with alumni and setting aside time to really think about the future and what options there are. It was also helpful to hear people’s personal experiences."
"Meeting with alums. I had some great conversations with professionals who were eager to share career advice and to simply advise me on how to make the most of my college experience. Both of my alums also offered to connect me with others in their field and offered themselves as resources for the future."
"The most valuable aspect of Bootcamp was the Alumni Connections. I thought the connection meetings were enlightening and useful. Although one of my connections did not match my interests very well, we were able to talk more generally about internships and advocating for my own internship at companies that may not have existing positions."
Tips from Prior Volunteers
FEEDBACK:
"I like to offer one piece of praise and one constructive suggestion (about something they might have included in their self-introduction or a question they might have asked). If they don’t think to ask me 'who else would you recommend I speak with?', I remind them it’s fine to do that and often suggest somebody."
SCHEDULING:
"A month in advance, I set aside six 30-minute blocks on my calendar - workday, evening, weekend, whatever times you personally prefer. When I get my student matches, I offer each student a choice between just two of those time-blocks to start with. That way, I don’t double-offer any times and I don’t have to wait for one student to get back to me to confirm the other. Then I give myself back the gift of any time-blocks that weren’t needed."