Student FAQs
What year do I have to be to utilize the program?
Jeff Alumni Chats is open to ALL current Jefferson students.
Do you guarantee that a match will be available for me?
We will try our best to find an alumnus/a who matches your needs, but we cannot guarantee that a match will be available.
Contacting busy alumni sometimes takes a bit of time, so please be patient with us in finding you a match. We will do our best to match you with someone who fits your criteria.
If a match is not available, you will be notified.
Who are the alumni volunteers?
All alumni volunteers are Jefferson, Textile, and Philadelphia University alumni or post-graduate alumni from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (or Jefferson Health affiliate hospitals) who have agreed to participate in the Jeff Alumni Chats program.
Where are matches available?
There are Jefferson alumni throughout the country, so meetings may take place virtually or in person depending on what is convenient for the alumnus/a and you. In-person meetings must be held in a public space.
What can I expect from the alumnus/a with whom I am matched?
Alumni may provide invaluable professional insight on the community and industry of your prospective area of work, and other career-related topics. It is important to note, some alumni may prefer to meet you in a virtual format, while others are willing to meet in person. Again, in-person meetings must be held in a public space.
How long is each meeting?
Keep it short! We recommend meeting up for 30 minutes. If you’d like to keep going longer than 30 minutes, you should check to see if the alumnus/a has time to continue chatting or if they’d like to set up another 30-minute meeting to continue the conversation.
How many times should each match meet?
Between 1 and 3 times. After the first chat, it is up to both participants to determine whether they’d like to meet again for another chat.
How do I sign up to utilize the Jeff Alumni Chats Program?
Fill out the Student Participant Registration form.
Should I contact my alumni match?
After you have completed the Student Participant Registration form, we will begin looking for an alumni match for you. Once we find a match, we will share their information with you. It is then up to you to promptly contact your match and begin scheduling a 30-minute meeting in either a virtual or in-person format. We ask that you contact them as soon as we give you their information so plans can be confirmed.
How far in advance should I contact my match?
Contact your match as soon as we give you their information. PROMPT CONTACT IS VERY IMPORTANT! You should also contact them again at least 24 hours before your scheduled chat as a reminder and to confirm the details.
What do I do if my schedule changes?
We understand that plans change—but it is very important to contact your match as soon as possible to let them know. Try to reschedule the initial chat, and if the Office of Alumni Relations can be of assistance, please let us know!
Do I need to do anything after the visit is over?
Yes, we ask that you send a thank you note to your alumni match. Then, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@jefferson.edu to share your feedback on your experience so we can improve the program in the future. If your visit was in person, please take a photo of you and your match to submit to us upon your return. We’d love to use it to promote the program in the future!