A student nearing graduation reached out to alumni for guidance on breaking into the museum and archives field, with dreams of one day working at the Walt Disney Archives. What followed was an almost immediate outpouring of support from the University of Mary Washington alumni community, with multiple graduates responding quickly and generously.

Alumni from across decades shared thoughtful advice, practical resources, and personal stories of navigating their own career paths. Some emphasized starting small with local archives or museums, others spoke about the importance of graduate study, and several encouraged the student to build digital and technical skills to stay competitive. One alum passed along insights from a former Disney archivist about how to get a foot in the door, while another offered to share job postings and personally assist with applications. Others extended invitations to meet over coffee or Zoom, underscoring that networking is at the heart of this field.

What stood out most was not only the depth of advice but also the speed and warmth of the responses. Within days, the student had a network of mentors offering encouragement, contacts, and tangible next steps. Alumni reminded her that relationships matter, and they demonstrated it by stepping up so quickly to guide someone following in their footsteps.

This exchange captures the strength of the UMW alumni community. It’s a reminder that higher education isn’t just about what happens in the classroom, but also about the lifelong network that rallies around students when they need it most. In this case, alumni turned uncertainty into possibility, showing the real power of connection and how a tight-knit community can help light the path forward.