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April 2, 2005 and April 11, 2006
MIT Alumni Association
Anna Arnedt
Associate Director, Student & Young Alumni Programs
Kim Cole
Associate Director, Alumni Education

Purpose

The Backpack to Briefcase Seminar provides graduating graduate students with the tools and resources needed for the transition from MIT to the work force, while emphasizing the support network that exists through the MIT community and Alumni Association. The seminar features experts in areas relevant to students, including financial planning, business communication etiquette, and buying and financing a first home. Each attendee receives a book with more helpful information, as well as handouts from each presenter. Additionally, all hand outs are saved as pdfs and posted to the Alumni Association’s web site so that students who were unable to attend can still benefit from the information provided.

Impact

We have produced two Backpack to Briefcase seminars, offering more than 100 graduate students valuable information to help them in their lives after MIT. In the survey from the 2005 seminar, 52% of attendees rated the program “excellent” and 30% rated it “good.” Each participant now not only has additional skills and information, but they are also aware of the resources the Alumni Association can provide them in their lives as MIT Alumni – connecting them back to the Institute through publications, online services, regional clubs and events. This connection is important as graduate alumni are becoming the majority of MIT’s alumni population.