Every year, the MS Alumni Connect event starts the same way: Master of Science students walk into the room a little hesitant, scanning for an opening, and working up the nerve to start a conversation.
And every year, it ends the same way, too: the lights come on, staff gently reminds people that it’s time to wrap up, and students and alumni keep talking the night away.
That arc, from quiet nerves to genuine energy and connection, is what makes this event worth doing year after year.
The third annual MS Alumni Connect event, hosted by the Career & Life Design team, brought together 76 current specialized mater’s student and 23 of Carey’s Master of Science alumni for a night focused on networking, mentorship, and community.
Dean Triantis opened the evening by reflecting on the strength of the Carey network and why alumni engagement matters not just for students, but for the broader Carey community.
Following his remarks, Career & Life Design introduced their career coaches before two alumni from the Business Analytics and AI program took the stage. Huini (Vicky) Lin ’25 and Ashley Wei ’25 shared their own experiences securing employment post-graduation, emphasized the importance of networking, and gave examples of how connections they made while enrolled at Carey ultimately helped them secure positions at their current organizations.
“Throughout the event, I felt a great feeling of mentorship, unity, and friendliness. Even though we had just met, we could all relate to each other's stories,” said current Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence student Melody Borg. “I particularly enjoyed Ashley and Vicky’s testimonies. They are both incredibly accomplished and keep their successes grounded in reality; they advocate for more Carey students to join their workplaces and continue finding creative solutions when the path is not straightforward. That's inspiring!”
To help students make the most of their evening, Career & Life Design coaches also hosted preparation sessions leading up to the event, so students could develop good questions, learn how to present themselves professionally, and how to effectively ask for a follow-up conversation.
And the preparation paid off. Students came ready to engage and make a difference in the quality of conversations happening across the room. An onsite photographer was also available to take professional headshots for both students and alumni to spruce up their professional presence.
Representing organizations across finance, government, consulting, healthcare, and technology, alumni brought a wide range of experiences and perspective to share. Attendees included professionals from organizations such as Capital One, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Morgan Stanley, and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. And many of the alumni offered to continue conversations and stay in touch with students after the event.
“That kind of ongoing connection is something no classroom can replicate,” said current Finance student Khushi Joshi. “One thing that stayed with me: the alumni who seemed most fulfilled were not necessarily the ones who had the most prestigious titles, but the ones who stayed curious and kept building relationships along the way.”
The remainder of the evening was dedicated to informal, organic conversations, as students, alumni, faculty, and staff connected over light refreshments with no agenda other than genuine connection.
“Nowadays, information about the job market and job search strategies is everywhere,” said Business Analytics alum Caesar Feng. “But that information is often too generalized and sometimes outdated. It's a rare opportunity to hear directly from people who have gone through the process firsthand and get the most detailed, honest insights through live Q&A.”
Feng, who participated in last year’s connect event as a student, came back this year as an alum because of the support he felt throughout his journey as a student.
“I felt compelled to participate and contribute to conversations,” Feng said.
But the event is becoming something more. What started as a networking opportunity is evolving into a tradition. One that gives alumni a reason to stay connected to Carey and to one another long after graduation – whether that is with other alumni or students to come.
“Staying connected to the Carey community is important to me because it’s a way to show up for the people and the organization that helped me get to where I am today,” said Information Systems alum Lisanne van Engelen.
Van Engelen says that her time at Carey made her a better communicator, leader, and team member, all skills that have been important in her professional career.
Beyond that, van Engelen said these types of events are important for students because it gives them an opportunity to hear about real experiences from previous students. It gives them perspectives that don't come up in the classroom, especially about navigating the job market.
“I had conversations that sharpened how I think about positioning my background, bridging international finance experience with the technical skills I am building here at Carey. One of the finer takeaways was simply the relationships I started building,” said Joshi.
Events like this one serve as a reminder that the Master of Science experience extends well beyond the classroom. The alumni who came before are among the most valuable resources available to Carey students preparing for what’s next.
“To me, Carey feels like a big family. We all share similar values that drive us to accomplish great things, so I’m curious to see what my ‘Carey extended relatives’ from previous cohorts are up to,” said Borg. “I’m always excited to learn from their experiences.”
