The Talent and Career Centre supports former students in building and managing their careers; it also relies on them as a valuable resource for the career development of (current and future) U.Porto students. Their knowledge, connections and commitment significantly benefit the students, the institution, and the community.
The alumni network that has been built up thus plays a crucial role in the U.Porto Career Community by making it possible:
- Networking opportunities: Alumni provide a vast network of contacts for services, including career services and students. This network has been involved in professional mentoring and job-shadowing programmes, exploring professional profiles, sectors/job markets, and references for career opportunities, among other career-related activities.
- Knowledge of the world of work: Alumni have experience in the labour market and can offer information on sectors and markets, companies/organisations, and specific roles. They can also share their experiences, challenges and paths not only as employees but also as (intra)entrepreneurs, giving current students a more realistic view of what they can expect in their chosen fields and helping them realise which academic and/or professional paths make the most sense;
- Access to career opportunities: Many alumni are in positions of influence within their companies/organisations or have critical connections inside and outside their entities and businesses, so they can support students in exploring how to access career opportunities that may not be widely publicised;
- Personal and professional development: Alumni can contribute to the development of current students by participating in and running workshops, seminars and lectures, such as the UPgrade Programme, "Your Future is UP", among others. They can share valid information on how students can explore their needs, interests and competencies and how they can express and develop them;
- Success stories: By sharing their journeys and life stories, former students can inspire current students, demonstrating the potential for "success" and motivating them to define career goals and plans;
- Diversity of experience: Alumni come from diverse backgrounds, origins, sectors and geographical locations. Their diverse experiences can give students various career possibilities and help them make informed decisions about their career paths.
Alongside the participation of alumni in the various activities that promote career development, where they share their knowledge and experiences and make their passions and talents known, the Talent and Career Centre has been keen to invite alumni to take part in studies (within the scope of the Employment Observatory) and task forces and discussion groups related to the employability and careers of students at U.Porto and the planning of some of the intervention programmes in this area.
The involvement of alumni in this community of career practices makes it possible not only to monitor and collect data on their life paths (especially professional ones) and the suitability of their skills for the labour market but also to compile a body of information on entering the labour market, employability and the trends and demands of the world of work, which contributes to improving curricula and the career services themselves in support of students.