Announcing Ole Connect — a new career platform just for Oles
We are excited to announce the launch of Ole Connect — St. Olaf College’s new, easy-to-use platform for professional networking designed exclusively for Ole alumni.
What is Ole Connect?
The Ole Connect platform is designed to help foster connections within the St. Olaf alumni community and facilitate strategic networking by industry, identity, or shared interests. Within the platform, members can join career groups based on affinity or industry to start conversations, share resources, post discussion topics, and read exclusive content written by Ole experts in their field.
As we get further away from the Hill — either in years or distance — it is sometimes challenging to stay connected. The Ole Connect platform will help Oles expand their professional networks, create and learn about new opportunities, and stay engaged with the St. Olaf community.
What makes Ole Connect unique?
In addition to networking capabilities, Ole Connect also includes a new alumni-specific job board. When you register with the platform, you can post jobs for fellow Oles or apply to jobs referred by Oles for Oles. When you apply for one of these jobs, there will be an Ole in the organization who can provide you with more information.
How can Oles get involved in the platform?
In the career and affinity groups, we are looking for Ole volunteers to create and share original content about the lessons they have learned in their own careers — everything from blogs, to webinars to suggested reading lists. This content will be published within relevant career groups on the Ole Connect platform.
In addition to applying for jobs on the Ole Connect job board, members can support Oles by posting positions as well. If you know of an awesome job posting or are looking to hire an Ole at your own place of work, post a job on Ole Connect. If you have a position that would be more suitable for a current student, visit the Piper Center for Vocation and Career employer resources page.
Ole Connect helps us harness the vibrant community of Ole alumni who want to help others and share information. Grow your network and support fellow Oles as they find what’s next — join Ole Connect today!
How did this program come about?
Associate Director of Alumni Professional Networks and Affinity Groups Beth Anne Thompson ’88 manages the new Ole Connect platform. “After a long career in consulting, I was excited to come back to St. Olaf to be part of creating this new alumni initiative. It has been amazing to learn about all of the diverse careers that Oles are pursuing,” says Thompson. “I am excited to help Oles create new career opportunities or just share the lessons they have learned on their own career paths. I would have loved to have this networking resource at different points in my own career.”
Ole Connect is a joint partnership between Thompson and Associate Director of Alumni Career Services Jenele Grassle.
Grassle works with alumni to provide one-on-one assistance and to deliver relevant career programming. She works with Oles through all stages of their career journey, from the years right after graduation through mid-career transitions to encore careers. She also manages the Ole Connect job board, a key feature and benefit of the Ole Connect platform.
Check out the Alumni Career Services program to learn more about one-on-one alumni coaching or to make a coaching appointment with Jenele Grassle.