Career Network for OlesCAREER NETWORK FOR OLES

An important part of St. Olaf’s promise to students is to foster a supportive and enduring community. Oles have a long history of helping one another, and now, more than ever, contacts and networking are keys to gaining insight and experience and making a successful transition from the Hill into the world.  

Career Network for Oles is a program designed by the Center for Experiential Learning in conjunction with President David R. Anderson ’74 and the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations. The program, now in its third year, connects St. Olaf juniors and seniors with the College’s alumni and parent community in meaningful and substantive ways.

Career Network for Oles gives students a chance to learn about careers, internships and jobs in their fields of interest while providing alumni and parents the opportunity to share their professional experiences and expertise. Last year, over 1,000 alumni and parents and nearly 300 students participated in the program. 

  • Students participating in the program attend an information session, where they receive instruction on creating a paragraph-length profile that details their skills, experiences and career interests. Student profiles are edited by campus mentors and alumni volunteers before a final version is submitted to the Career Network for Oles website. Profiles are randomly matched with alumni and parent volunteers within their selected career interests.  
  • During the seven week program, alumni and parent volunteers commit to reading a weekly email from the College that includes approximately five unique student profiles interested in similar career paths. They are asked to respond to students’ inquiries as they are able.

Information for Students

Information for Alumni and Parents


News Articles
St. Olaf Magazine (The Ole Connection article) - Winter 2011
Alumni and students reflect on what their connection to the Career Network for Oles program has meant to them and, for our newest alumni, how it has eased their transition into life after St. Olaf.

MPR looks at Career Network for Oles - May 25, 2010
A Minnesota Public Radio story that looks at how St. Olaf students are turning to alumni for career assistance and advice focuses on music major Ana Ashby '10 and her success with the Career Network for Oles, a networking program started this year by the Center for Experiential Learning, President David R. Anderson '74, and the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations.

Students gain professional opportunities from new Career Network for Oles - March 12, 2010
As hundreds of seniors prepare to enter a less-than-ideal job market this spring, the Center for Experiential Learning (CEL), in conjunction with President David R. Anderson ’74 and the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, is attempting to help soften the blow.

Questions about the program? Please contact Nathan Soland ’04, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations. Email: solandn@stolaf.edu or (507) 786-3310. Comments and/or feedback are welcome.