This year marks Cranfield’s 75th anniversary, a brilliant opportunity to reflect on our journey so far and what brings us to where we are now. Our staff, students, alumni, and business partners all contribute to making Cranfield the unique organisation it is.
Many of our alumni stay connected to Cranfield through volunteering and we could not be more grateful for their time, dedication, and support to Cranfield staff, students, prospective students, and alumni. They are everything that is extraordinary about our community.
This Wednesday 20 April 2022 commemorates Volunteer Recognition Day, an annual celebration of individuals who provide a helping hand to others who need support. The following are some of the ways our alumni are supporting students, helping to make Cranfield a brilliant university to be a part of.
Supporting student recruitment
Speaking to others about your Cranfield experience has a long-lasting impression on prospective students, inspiring them to choose Cranfield and allowing us to attract the brightest individuals. Sharing your experience through a testimonial helps inspire students and fellow alumni to understand where their programme at Cranfield can lead them.
Our career mentoring programme has been a brilliant success since its launch in 2021, with 305 alumni participating. Bringing together current students and alumni, helping them with their career development, and providing insight into their chosen roles and sectors. Gunarjun Chawla (MBA 2021) shares his experience using the programme as a student:
“It's a good networking and a learning tool that might not be a compulsory part of the [course]…but it's worth every minute. Picking up ideas and experiences from alumni for the MBA year and beyond were a couple of key factors in deciding to choose the mentoring programme.”
Many of our alumni volunteers are involved in growing the alumni network through our international communities, continuing to keep our alumni connected to each other and Cranfield no matter where their journey takes them.
Michelle Ziling Ou (MSc Strategic Marketing 2011) International President for France said:
“It has been a truly rewarding experience for me - establishing new contacts, meeting inspirational alumni from different industries, developing my own professional network, and more importantly, forming strong friendships that transcend time and distance.”
Providing projects and internships for students
Cranfield’s Career development service work with our volunteers to help our students and alumni accomplish the best out of their professions. Many of our students are looking for work experience and internships to develop their practical experience in their chosen sector. Alumni providing these internships help our students reach their full potential and develop their employability skills.
Recruiting Cranfield students
Attending our regular careers fairs to recruit our recent graduates is a brilliant way to stay connected to Cranfield and provide opportunities to students who have specialist knowledge in your industry.
Being an Alumni advocate
Cranfield’s Alumni Advocate programme was launched in 2021 and aims to encourage prospective students to join Cranfield by introducing them to alumni who can share their experience of studying at the University and answer questions about what makes Cranfield so unique.
A message from Professor Karen Holford CBE FREng, Chief Executive, Vice-Chancellor
Get involved in volunteering
Thank you to all our alumni volunteers for giving your time, expertise, and commitment to supporting our students.
If you are interested in learning new skills and making a difference in the alumni community, there are many ways you can get involved.
