2009 Headlines
Two new programs show value of Cornell connections
JS PALS and JS COACHES connect admitted students, current students and alumni
February 23, 2009 | Ithaca, NY | Graduating from the Johnson School at Cornell University connects students to a global network of Cornell alumni who work in nearly every corner of the globe and in nearly every possible career field. And yet, it's often easy to overlook the value of the alumni network when students are knee-deep in classes and their career search. The Johnson School recently launched two new programs that highlight the value of the alumni network and the unique bond created within the school's intense, collaborative community.
JS PALS (Johnson School Personalized Admissions Links) is a project launched by two Park Leadership fellows, Sarah Scudder (MBA '09) and Christopher Koza (MBA '08). JS PALS is an online program that matches admitted students with current students and alumni in their geographic area and area of career interest. Information is pulled from the Johnson School admissions application and matches admitted students with up to four individuals: a first year MBA student, a second year MBA student, an alumnus/alumna in the same geography, and an alumna/alumna who works in the admitted student's career area of interest.
"While many top MBA programs have current students reach out to new admits to answer questions, our program takes this connection process a step further," commented Sarah Scudder, co-founder of the program. "By connecting admitted students with up to four contacts, the program will provide them with access to multiple perspectives on the Johnson School and hopefully inform their decision-making about whether the Johnson School is the right program for them."
Sarah Scudder summarizes it best when she says, "These programs demonstrate the community and collaborative spirit of the Johnson School and our Cornell Randall Sawyer, director of admissions for the Johnson School adds, "In the past current students and club leaders have always reached out to admitted students, but JS PALS provides a consistent framework for reaching out to admitted students and very quickly lets admitted students see the value of belonging to the Cornell alumni network." To date 315 people with offers of admission have been matched with 190 current students and 188 alumni.
JS COACHES is a similar program that was recently created to connect current students seeking employment with alumni working in their career area of interest. Nearly 200 MBA students have been matched with alumni coaches who give students feedback on anything from resumes and cover letters to networking approaches. By matching individuals based on career interest, the program gives current students an opportunity to get perspective and feedback from a practitioner in their area of career interest. While specifics of the coaching relationship will be determined by participants, the coach supplements the work of the Career Management Center by providing additional guidance and helping to keep students on track.
According to Randy Allen, associate dean for external relations, "We pride ourselves on the Johnson School community, and by extension, our connections with the larger Cornell community. JS COACHES provides alumni an opportunity to engage with the next generation of Johnson School students. It's a valuable way for them to give back to the community that helped shape their professional their lives."
Sarah Scudder summarizes it best when she says, "These programs demonstrate the community and collaborative spirit of the Johnson School and our Cornell connections. As a JS-PAL I have spoken with newly admitted students who have been impressed with the School's outreach efforts. Contact from both current students and alumni has made a great impression; and from a current student's perspective, it has been great to talk to the prospective class of 2011."
