Sloanies Helping Sloanies: Enabling Career Connections 2025 | Event Logistics | Know Before You Go

Registration: Click here to register
When: Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 7–9 pm
Where: Samberg Conference Center, 7th Floor, 50 Memorial Drive, Building E52, Cambridge, MA
What to Expect/ Event Schedule:

  • 7-7:15 pm: Reception begins. Check in at the registration table and pick up your name badge.
  • 7:15 pm: Welcome remarks, including structured networking activity instructions.
  • 7:20-8:05 pm: 3 rounds of 15-min structured networking. Attendees will be randomly assigned to different tables based on the numbers on your name badge.
  • 8:05-9 pm: Structured networking ends. Attendees are invited to continue to mingle until the event concludes.

Name Badge: Colored stickers will be added to your name badge to quickly identify whether you are a student or an alumni. Students will have a blue sticker, and alumni will have a red sticker.
Recommended Attire: Business Casual
Food and Beverages: Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks served throughout the event.
Accessing Campus: We highly encourage the use of public transit to access MIT’s campus, as public parking is extremely limited. If you do plan to drive to this event, please click here for information on public parking at MIT.
Contact Information: Please contact the Office of External Relations at mitsloanalumnirelations@mit.edu with any questions.

Know Before You Go
To make the most of this evening, here are some tips and networking advice to help you prepare.   

5 Tips for Strategic Networking 

  1. Explore the Registrants List: Take a look at the current registrants’ list and learn more about them by searching on LinkedIn or in the MIT Alumni Directory. Connect with contacts of interest on LinkedIn with a short message expressing your excitement to meet them at the event. Familiarize yourself with their backgrounds and professional experiences for more meaningful conversations. A list of registrants’ industries will be shared a week before the event to simplify your search.
  2. Practice Your Elevator Pitch: Having a clear and concise intro is key to networking success. In the weeks leading up to the event, practice how you will introduce yourself and make sure that your intro is authentic, clear, and concise. Want support? Schedule an appointment with the Career Development Office to practice your intro or mock conversations.
  3. Set Networking Goals: Having clear networking goals prior to the event will help guide your interactions. Ask yourself: Do you want to connect with a specific alumnus? Learn about a new industry? Explore potential career paths? Set your intentions prior to the event.
  4. Be Approachable and Open: While at the event, be approachable and open during your conversations. Smile and maintain eye contact, introduce yourself clearly, be an active listener, and welcome others into your group. Ask thoughtful, tailored, and open-ended questions. Share compelling stories about your experiences and be your authentic self.
  5. Follow-Up After the Event: If possible, take note of who you met during the event and what you talked about (The Notes app on your phone is great for this!). After the event, connect with the people you spoke with on LinkedIn. Send personalized follow-ups expressing your appreciation for the conversation and conveying your interest in staying connected. Be specific, mentioning details about what you chatted about. Ask to chat again and add a reminder to check in with them in a month or so.

Lastly, relax and enjoy the evening! This is a chance to learn, connect, and enjoy the evening with your fellow Sloanies.

Additional Resources