Caitlyn Ward
“IrishCompass is...”
“Amazing.”
I couldn’t agree more with the way fellow student Farai Musariri chose to describe Notre Dame’s online platform for the student and alumni network. IrishCompass allows current students and alumni to connect with each other through direct messaging, industry groups and mentorship programs. Unlike the alumni directory, IrishCompass allows each person to create a unique profile with searchable characteristics aimed at building the ND network online and in person.
For my capstone project, I conducted many of my interviews with health professionals I connected with through IrishCompass. I’ve also used IrishCompass to network and conduct informational interviews with alumni who work in fields I’m interested in. Before coming to Notre Dame, I knew the alumni network was second to none, but with a 70% success rate of “cold connecting” with alumni, I can attest it is not only very strong, but alumni are always eager and willing to help students.
In the ND Network “I need help with tab,” there are many filters including informational interviews, job shadowing or effective networking, among others. Profiles can be filtered by location, major or ND alumni club. When conducting informational interviews, I used the search bar to narrow down alumni working at specific companies or in specific positions.
Overall, I can’t say how helpful IrishCompass was in conducting my capstone interviews, which is a crucial and often difficult part of the project. For effective networking and career planning, speaking with each alumnus about his journey and current position has been invaluable. I would encourage everyone in the ND network to try IrishCompass; as I enter my final semester in ESTEEM and think about becoming an alumna, I know I will have the ND network there when I need it. IrishCompass is the platform that will allow that to happen.
Go Irish!