Monday June 3, 2019 (Seattle, Washington) – As part of the Future First Global initiative in Australia, an OurSchool survey of 1,900 high school students found that the knowledge, experience, networks and diverse journeys of alumni are a powerful influence in how students perceive their potential post-high school success.
82% of high school students said the alumni career pathways sessions were useful. More specifically, 78% of students said the sessions helped them better understand life after high school. 71% of students said it increased their understanding of how to get a job.
It's rewarding for the alumni too. Of the 113 alumni surveyed, 96% said they would return and volunteer for a similar event and 83% said that being connected to an alumni program would encourage them to provide occasional financial support.
Of the 107 educators surveyed, 94% said these sessions have students practical skills and useful insights into linking academic study and the workplace. 86% said it boosts students' in school and beyond.
This sentiment is affirmed by schools participating in the Future First USA pilot program. In the US, Future First USA believes the power of alumni can be harnessed to support student outcomes from college and career readiness to SEL role models and fundraising. Near-peer alumni are uniquely qualified to motivate students as their real-world advice comes from recent experience students can relate to.
Future First USA Director of Product and Partnerships, Jeff Stein, looks forward on building on the momentum so far for an even stronger 2019-2020 year -- with more alumni back in their high schools to support today’s students and show them what’s possible.
“The data shows that students want to hear from alumni: they’re a motivating factor. Using our Alumni Toolkit to plan events and recruit alumni makes alumni engagement easy, effective and rewarding,” Stein said.
Educators interested in joining the national movement of engaging alumni to support student outcomes are encouraged to visit www.futurefirstusa.org to register.
Media Enquiries
Colin Lieu – Communications Manager
(631) 552-8884 colin@futurefirstusa.org