Like current students, geography alums often find themselves trying to explain to friends and family just what exactly is this subject they have spent so much time studying? One common response is a quote from Professor Michael Brown's social science research design class, a core requirement for all students in the geography major: "the why of the where." Describing the discipline to those outside it, especially employers, can feel fraught as students and alums navigate their careers. Recognizing this challenge, the Department of Geography debuted a brand-new Alum Ambassador Committee in the 2024-2025 academic year to guide career programming and enhance engagement opportunities for UW geography alums.
Helmed by alums Gizelle Gando (class of 2018), Racquel West (class of 2020) and Diana Yuen (class of 2006), the first year of the Alum Ambassador Committee has already been epic! Meeting monthly, the committee created a mission statement and goals, and assigned a specific role to each member to delegate responsibilities. In the autumn quarter, the committee offered vital support to the Geography Advising Office on matters regarding the recruitment of alum mentors for current geography students and the curriculum for career exploration and preparation courses in the department.
In the winter quarter, the committee launched a survey to all UW geography alums to gauge interest and availability to participate in events and other programming. We received great feedback that informed planning for the first event, an Alum Mixer & Reunion at the Green Lake Branch of the Seattle Public Library! On a remarkably sunny Saturday, geography alums from classes spanning over 30 years gathered to enjoy coffee and treats, mingle and play Kahoot! geography trivia. It was a wonderful opportunity for recent graduates and mid-career professionals to come together in community to reminisce about Smith Hall and network. As the event ended, we heard loud and clear the request for more opportunities to socialize and learn from each other, so stay tuned for future event invitations!
As a culmination of the committee's activities in spring quarter, members planned a "Networking Cake Walk" to make networking fun and hopefully less intimidating for current geography students. While enjoying delicious cupcakes, students brainstormed questions to ask alums about their professional pathways and how they are making use of their myriad skills and disciplinary lens in their careers. With alums in the room representing fields as diverse as LiDAR analysis, museum curation and collections management, and nonprofit fundraising, our students benefited from a wealth of experience. Together students and alums shared their personal responses to the questions they field from others about the geography major, and the many ways their lives are enriched from their time in the geography department.