What is the Alumni Insider’s View…New York State Capital
program?
This is one of many Alumni Insider’s View programs offered by St.
John’s University’s Office of Alumni Relations that connect
students and alumni for networking and education. This annual
program brings approximately 30-50 undergraduate/graduate students,
including School of Law and Pharmacy, to Albany to learn the inner
workings of state government and experience the reality of New
York’s political climate. The day is comprised of two sets of panel
discussions, separated by lunch featuring a guest speaker, and
concludes with a tour of the state capital building.
What does being a panelist entail?
Volunteering to be a panelist entails approximately 1-1 ½ hours of
the panel length time, sharing with student participants your
experience working in Albany in an elected government position,
state government, or political environment, either now or in the
past, and providing your insights on the panel topic under
discussion with your fellow alumni panelists. Students are
coming to hear you discuss:
- How you obtained your position
- What it means to you to work in the state capital
- Your recommendations and advice on how to obtain a position or
career in a
specific professional field - How your St. John’s University education helped to contribute
to your experiences
after graduation - Your own advice, recommendations and suggestions for the
student participants
Alumni panelists will be provided with an outline; however,
panelists should be themselves, being open to questions and
offering helpful advice.
How long will I have to speak?
The panels are generally formatted with a panel moderator who
allows each alumnus panelist to introduce him or herself and
discuss the above mentioned topics. Specific questions are then
posed by the panel moderator, allowing an individual panelist to
answer or defer to another. A question and answer period is
then provided so that students can feel free to ask any or all of
the panelists their own questions.
What will students expect from me?
Students will expect to hear your story, and for you to be
approachable and accessible to them. Although the Office of Alumni
Relations will have prepared student participants with many
networking techniques in an information meeting prior to the start
of the program, many students may still feel somewhat awkward
approaching alumni. Your biography and contact information will be
provided to students in advance so they can follow-up with you for
networking purposes. Students will not ask you for employment
opportunities or internships; however, they are encouraged to ask
alumni how to obtain such positions.
What if I have agreed to participate as a panelist and I get
detained? Once you are confirmed as a panelist, a final
itinerary of the day’s events and locations will be forwarded to
you. If your plans change that day, you can always join the
students at any part of the program and we’ll fit you in.
If I cannot serve as a panelist, is there another way I can
participate during the day?
Yes, you can serve as a luncheon speaker, or join the students
during lunch, where time will be allotted for personal
interactions.
For additional information please contact:
Elisa Douglas '05C
Assistant Director, Student Engagement and Young Alumni
Tel (718) 990-6168
douglase@stjohns.edu