Storytime - Working while in graduate school

#engagementstory

ROANOKE COLLEGE STUDENT FRUSTRATED WITH JOB REQUIREMENTS

By MAX LEISTEN

Here’s a fantastic example of how to ask alumni for help — give them something nonsensical that they have struggled with so that they can share their own experience. Looking for jobs with requirements that seem out of reach fits that bill.

And for this Roanoke College student her frustration translated to alumni coming to her aid, with several practice owners offering strategies and even jobs.

Scroll to the bottom to see the full AEM impact (including major gift and principal gift prospects), but here’s the top-of-the-funnel:

Contacted Alumni: 25
Email Open Rate: 68%
Clickthrough Rate: 32%
Engagement Rate: 28%

Keep it simple!

Max

The "ask"

I’m a psychology senior at Roanoke College with an human development concentration. And I aim to pursue a master in counseling.

During graduate school I’d like to work in my related field, to get ahead and expand my experience, but I am not sure where to start. I have already done an internship in addiction.

I was looking at jobs and they keep saying 1-3 years experience and I guess it discourages me to apply.

Thank you for your help!

The "give" (1 of 7)

STUDENT,

my wife and I own an Mental Health Services Agency. We provide services for adolescents (and families) who have mental health diagnosis. We primarily work in COUNTIES, NC.

We offer entry level positions for aspiring clinicians. In our industry you would probably start at an Associate Professional (AP) level and can work towards becoming a Qualified Professional after 2 years. The pay isn’t great ($35,000.00 to $40,000.00 for APs) and the work can be physically and emotionally challenging but also can be really rewarding as you are providing support for families that are in need of help and in most cases have no other place to go. The success stories keep you going.

If I didn’t scare you off, I would suggest that you seek an AP Position and give it 6 months. I think that amount of time will give you enough experience in the industry to decide if you want to move forward.

If you want to continue and you can work towards becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). This will open up opportunities for you and increase your salary ($60,000.00 to $80,000.00). Also the work becomes less challenging as you grow as a clinician and become more educated.

I am happy to get on a phone call with you and/or I can introduce you to some of our clinicians that can tell you more about your path. If you let me know where you will be living after graduation I can see if there are any agencies in your area that may be able to give you a start.

Good luck no matter what.

Sincerely,

ALUM

The Outcome

Textbook example of converting a career need to broad, meaningful constituent engagement, including major gift and principal gift prospects.

Contacted Alumni: 25
Email Open Rate: 68%
Clickthrough Rate: 32%
Engagement Rate: 28%

Great to see here is that five alumni updated their information to get better matches in the future.

Protopia’s artificial intelligence technology makes it truly simple for everyone in your community to connect for advice and support. Without another app to sign up for or learn.

Delivering Alumni As A Service across the entire learner’s journey.

Welcome to the Future.

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