From the OCGA
Giving OCGs a flying start Katie Hunt Alumni and Community Manager
The Old Carey Grammarians Association (OCGA) prides itself on connecting OCGs no matter where they are in life or in the world. We constantly strive to find new ways for our members stay in touch and benefit from being part of the Carey community. Through the OCGA, we meet a diverse community of professionals. Many OCGs proudly share their career journeys, and are often very enthusiastic about the value of networking and mentoring. To facilitate professional networking within the Carey community, we recently trialled a series of Young Alumni Career Networking Luncheons. With a focus on the fields of commerce and health, our young alumni had the chance to hear first-hand how a number of other more experienced OCGs navigated their career paths. The intimate, roundtable style meeting encouraged open discussion and provided a wonderful platform to establish professional connections. After the event, one young OCG commented that the luncheon was ‘really insightful, friendly and provided strong advice’, and others expressed that they were impressed by the variety of speakers and their wealth of knowledge. The OCGs at the event created valuable connections, and due to the glowing feedback we received, we will ensure we hold more of these events in 2020. In keeping with our goals to forge and maintain Carey connections, the OCGA have partnered with Swinburne University of Technology to design an
innovative university transition and mentoring program: Old Carey@ Swinburne. The first of its kind in Australia, this project will see Year 12 leavers who are transitioning to Swinburne connect with fellow alumni who are further along in their studies. The idea for the project came from conversations with Year 12 parents and students who, despite being excited to start a new adventure at university, expressed concern about moving from the protective and familiar Carey environment. By facilitating a Carey community at Swinburne, OCGs can share common bonds and find connections to support them in their first year of studies. For those who are familiar with university life, mentoring a fellow OCG can assist them to develop their interpersonal and leadership skills.
All OCGs studying at Swinburne will also have the opportunity to connect with graduates of both Carey and Swinburne who have gone on to become successful in fields such as aviation, engineering, media and design. Having access to these networks will prove invaluable when entering the professional world beyond university. The launch of Old Carey@Swinburne was held in August. It was a great opportunity to engage current OCG/ Swinburne students, OCG/Swinburne alumni, and Carey and Swinburne staff to assist Year 12 leavers heading to Swinburne in 2020. The project affirms our commitment to ensuring our young alumni benefit from all that being a member of the Carey and Swinburne communities has to offer.
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