Students, your alumni connection starts now. The Vanderbilt Alumni Association aims to connect current students and alumni in meaningful, relevant ways. Whether you are beginning your Vanderbilt experience or wondering about life after graduation, we have programs designed to meet your needs.

Opening Dores

Students and alumni connect over a casual meal for discussions about career- or industry-related advice and tips on transitioning to the real world. Learn how to get an edge in your career path and about life after Vanderbilt. Don't worry if you're not familiar with the industry—this is your opportunity to find out more in an informal environment.

Co-sponsored by Vanderbilt Career Center.

 Opening Dores testimonials:

"I really appreciated learning about the work environment and salary. The informal setting made it easy to ask them anything." 
—Karina Mendez Keil, Class of 2012

"My favorite aspect was the diversity of the alumni. Everyone has a unique story about their road after Vanderbilt. It was astounding that they were constantly changing their professional goals and achieving them."
—Deepa Patel, Class of 2013

"I’m honored to be of use to the students. Their drive is inspiring."
—Patricia Smith, BS’78

"I enjoyed talking to kids that were as clueless as I was as a freshman. I never really knew how things worked after college, so being able to shed some light on those subjects made me feel that I had some valuable information to share."
—Nimitt Chudasama, BS’01

Law School: “Is It Right For Me?” Alumni Advice Panel

A panel of Vanderbilt University Law School alumni and admissions representatives offer real-world advice and insider tips about the law school process each September. Below is the video of this year's panel.

Alumni in the Field panel series

Alumni panels that allow students to learn more about a specific career path like government and policy or health care. The alumni advice panels represent different careers in a specific industry. Watch the video from the "Alumni in the Field: Consulting" panel from November, 2011.

For more information or to participate, please email Lauren Obersteadt in the Office of Alumni Relations or call (615) 322-2042.

Alumni in the Field Testimonials:

"The alumni thoroughly responded to all the questions. They encouraged us to find our own way."
—Alyssa Evans, Class of 2013

"I appreciated the diverse career backgrounds of the panelists. They were eloquent and personable"
—Jeannette Mathieu, Class of 2012

Dores Across Nashville

Dores Across Nashville connects students to alumni in shared interest groups by gathering for meals at alumni homes. Past dinners have included students and alumni with ROTC, various sports, student communications and other organizations.

For more information on these programs, please email Bethany Glass in the Office of Alumni Relations.

VUconnect

VUconnect, Vanderbilt's popular online community, connects you with 120,000 alumni around the world. With VUconnect, you can:

• network with Vanderbilt alumni across the globe
• seek alumni advice on internships, jobs, graduate school, relocation and more

Sign up today.

Connect with Vanderbilt chapters

Students may attend any Vanderbilt chapter event, anytime. Want a networking edge? Sign up now to connect with alumni in your hometown or in a city you want to move to after graduation. Choose up to three Vanderbilt chapter cities and receive email invitations to all their events. Meet Vanderbilt alumni and make valuable connections. The Vanderbilt Alumni Association has chapters in most major U.S. cities and several foreign countries. Check out upcoming chapter events on VUconnect.com or go to the chapter webpage.

Life after Vanderbilt guide

With the help of more than 300 young alumni, the annual Life After Vanderbilt guide offers new alumni valuable advice on moving, money, networking, city insider tips and much more! Young alumni from 1–5 years out are solicited to help with the advice, making the manual genuine, warm, real and recent. For more information or to participate, please email Lauren Obersteadt in the Office of Alumni Relations or call (615) 322-2042.

Here's a sample from the 2013  Life After Vanderbilt  guide. 

"Never believe the landlord when he says that living next to the EL train is an 'urban experience.'" —Elle Luna, BA'04

"Always account for unexpected costs. Your car will inevitably need new tires when you least have the money to pay for them."—Shannon Franklin, BS'04

"Without the George Foreman Grill, I would starve."—Clayton Davis, BE'07

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